Creator of Brownsville Tina Turner statue shares what inspired his work

JACKSON, Tenn. — Atlanta-based sculptor Fred Ajanogha, also known as Ajano, has created works in Nigeria, Ghana, and throughout the United States.

He was commissioned by the 1996 Olympic Committee to craft sculptures for over 70 distinguished guests of the games. Ajanogha is also credited for his work at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport when he sculpted the bronze relief of Maynard Jackson.

The majority of Mr. Ajanogha’s public art pieces can be found in, and around, Atlanta Georgia. His art work is on permanent display at the Atlanta Beltline, Apex Museum, The Atlanta University Center, Grady High School, Bessie Branham Park & Recreation Center, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Facility, and the Roswell Riverwalk Trail.

In addition, other works are located in the notable private collections of former President Jimmy and Roslyn Carter and the late Maya Angelou.

For his latest creation though, Ajanogha spent the better part of a year creating the Tina Turner sculpture before working with the West Tennessee’s Lugar Foundry to finalize the piece.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tina Turner statue unveiled in Brownsville

Thursday, he shared a statement detailing the creative process for the Queen of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s statue:

My name is Fred Ajano. I’m the artist that created this sculpture. I’ve been working on it for a while now. It took me some time. I wasn’t rushing because I wanted to take my time and make sure I get it right. So, I tried to achieve three things: (First) her movement. I want her to be seen in her flexible form on stage. The second thing is the hair. I used that to emphasize her strength as a woman that goes with the mane of a lion. Very soft, heavy, and strong. The last one is her finger. I was able to let people know when something is good, everybody loves it. But it can never be Tina Turner. You can copy her but there’s only one Tina Turner. So, I’m very happy to do this sculpture for [the] Brownsville community and the whole family of Tina Turner and her fans. So, I’ve seen a lot of them here. So, I am very happy and pleased to do this sculpture and share it with everybody.

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