JOHN T. RIDDLE, JR. (1934 - 2002) Mother and Child.
Glazed fired clay, mounted on a wood base, circa 1960-65. Approximately 267x140 mm; 10 1/2x5 1/2 inches, (not including the base.)
Provenance: acquired directly from the artist; private collection; thence by descent to the current owner.
This figurative artwork is an early sculpture by artist, educator and art administrator John T. Riddle, Jr. Born and educated in Los Angeles, Riddle's work after 1965 became increasingly invested in assemblage, especially sculpture made from the discarded and charred remains found after the Watts rebellion. Greatly inspired by Noah Purifoy, Riddle's approach was a direct way of both addressing his community and developing an abstract aesthetic. Riddle taught art at Los Angeles High School and Beverly Hills High School before moving to Atlanta in 1974, where he taught at Spelman College. Riddle returned to Los Angeles in 1999 to the position of Program Manager of Visual Arts for the California African American Museum. Several of his assemblage sculptures were featured in the traveling museum exhibition Now Dig This! Art & Black Los Angeles 1960-1980.
