Remembering those we recently lost
James Bennett planted a tree
Key moments and achievements from Thaddeus Mosley's life.
Thaddeus was born
· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Career Achievement
Mosley served in the U.S. Navy as support company in California supplying Liberty ships, and was stationed on Peleliu Island in the western Pacific during World War II. His military service earned him the ex-serviceman's grant that funded his education at the University of Pittsburgh, launching his journey from small-town Pennsylvania to internationally acclaimed artist.
Career Achievement
Mosley served in the U.S. Navy as support company in California supplying Liberty ships, and was stationed on Peleliu Island in the western Pacific during World War II. His military service earned him the ex-serviceman's grant that funded his education at the University of Pittsburgh, launching his journey from small-town Pennsylvania to internationally acclaimed artist.
Education
In 1950, Mosley earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh with a double major in English and Journalism, funded by his ex-serviceman's grant. He subsequently worked as a freelance journalist and photographer for the Pittsburgh Courier and national magazines including Ebony, Sepia, and Jet during the 1950s.
Education
In 1950, Mosley earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh with a double major in English and Journalism, funded by his ex-serviceman's grant. He subsequently worked as a freelance journalist and photographer for the Pittsburgh Courier and national magazines including Ebony, Sepia, and Jet during the 1950s.
Career Achievement
In the late 1950s, Mosley was inspired to take up wood carving after viewing a Scandinavian furniture display at a local department store that included wood carvings of birds and fish. Working with salvaged hunks of walnut, sycamore, and cherry wood, he developed a distinctive technique of creating sleek, curvaceous abstract forms that allowed the wood's grain to dictate the movement of his tools.
Career Achievement
In the late 1950s, Mosley was inspired to take up wood carving after viewing a Scandinavian furniture display at a local department store that included wood carvings of birds and fish. Working with salvaged hunks of walnut, sycamore, and cherry wood, he developed a distinctive technique of creating sleek, curvaceous abstract forms that allowed the wood's grain to dictate the movement of his tools.
Founded Organization
In 1961, Mosley co-founded the Watt Lane Art Club with African-American artists Charles Anderson and Lee Cowan, which they envisioned as the start of a grassroots movement to establish a supported Black art scene in Pittsburgh. The club expanded to over 20 members, renamed itself Group One, and ran a community gallery in the Manchester neighborhood until 1964.
Founded Organization
In 1961, Mosley co-founded the Watt Lane Art Club with African-American artists Charles Anderson and Lee Cowan, which they envisioned as the start of a grassroots movement to establish a supported Black art scene in Pittsburgh. The club expanded to over 20 members, renamed itself Group One, and ran a community gallery in the Manchester neighborhood until 1964.
Career Achievement
Mosley taught wood sculpture at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, for more than 20 years, passing on his knowledge and passion for the medium to generations of aspiring artists. His teaching ensured that his distinctive approach to wood sculpture would continue to influence new artists long after his active career.
Career Achievement
Mosley taught wood sculpture at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, for more than 20 years, passing on his knowledge and passion for the medium to generations of aspiring artists. His teaching ensured that his distinctive approach to wood sculpture would continue to influence new artists long after his active career.
Won Award
In 2021, at the age of 95, Mosley received the Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, one of the most prestigious honors for American artists. This recognition came as part of a remarkable late-career surge of international acclaim that brought his six decades of work to global attention.
Won Award
In 2021, at the age of 95, Mosley received the Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, one of the most prestigious honors for American artists. This recognition came as part of a remarkable late-career surge of international acclaim that brought his six decades of work to global attention.
Won Award
In 2022, Mosley was awarded the prestigious Isamu Noguchi Award, named after the legendary Japanese-American sculptor, and the University of Pittsburgh granted him an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters. These honors recognized his extraordinary body of monumental wood sculptures and his seven-decade contribution to American art.
Won Award
In 2022, Mosley was awarded the prestigious Isamu Noguchi Award, named after the legendary Japanese-American sculptor, and the University of Pittsburgh granted him an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters. These honors recognized his extraordinary body of monumental wood sculptures and his seven-decade contribution to American art.
Thaddeus Mosley passed away
