Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation Releases First Posthumous Artist's CV

Discover Richard Hunt's prolific seven-decade career in newly released exhibitions, awards, and professional activities.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:51pm

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An abstract, minimalist composition of jagged, geometric shapes in bold red and white, conceptually representing the prolific artistic legacy of sculptor Richard Hunt.A newly released comprehensive CV sheds light on the expansive and influential career of American sculptor Richard Hunt.San Antonio Today

The Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation has released the first posthumous Artist's CV for American sculptor Richard Hunt, compiling newly discovered solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, awards, and professional activities from its digital archives to provide a more complete understanding of Hunt's accomplished seven-decade career and his place in art history.

Why it matters

Richard Hunt was a pioneering African American sculptor whose prolific career and extensive body of public art works have not been fully documented until now. This newly released comprehensive CV sheds light on Hunt's significant contributions to American sculpture and shifts the historical perspective on his legacy.

The details

The research by the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation uncovered 193 solo exhibitions, more than 350 group exhibitions, and expanded details on Hunt's awards and professional activities over his seven-decade career. This includes exhibitions at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, and others in the US and abroad.

  • Richard Hunt's first solo retrospective was held at the Museum of Modern Art in 1971.
  • Hunt's 'Book Bird' sculpture will be installed at the Obama Presidential Center in June 2026.
  • The Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation acquired Hunt's extensive physical archive of more than 1000 linear feet in 2022, which is currently being processed by the Getty Research Institute.

The players

Richard Hunt

A celebrated American metal sculptor who had more than 190 solo exhibitions, more than 350 group exhibitions, and is represented in more than 130 museums worldwide. He was the first African American sculptor to have a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1971.

Jon Ott

The executive director of the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that advances public awareness, education, and appreciation of the art and life of American sculptor Richard Hunt.

Getty Research Institute

The institution that acquired Richard Hunt's extensive physical archive of more than 1000 linear feet in 2022, which is currently being processed.

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What they’re saying

“This research doesn't just fill a gap in understanding Richard Hunt's career as a sculptor; it fundamentally shifts the lens through which we view Richard Hunt's legacy and his place in art history.”

— Jon Ott, Executive Director of the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation

What’s next

The Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation will continue to update Richard Hunt's CV as the Getty Research Institute provides expanded access to Hunt's physical archive in the coming years.

The takeaway

Richard Hunt's newly documented career highlights his pioneering role as an African American sculptor whose prolific body of public art works and exhibitions at major institutions have not been fully appreciated until now. This comprehensive CV provides a more complete understanding of Hunt's significant contributions to American art and sculpture.