Zenos Frudakis
Zenos Frudakis is an American sculptor whose subjects include portraits of living and historical individuals and poetic/philosophical sculpture. He lives and works near Philadelphia. His works include those at Brookgreen Gardens, the Lotos Club of New York City, the Utsukushi ga-hara Open Air Museum in Japan, the National Academy of Design, and the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
Biography
The oldest of five children growing up in Greek culture, Zenos admired, respected, and was drawn to Greek sculpture. Greek art influenced his aesthetic vision; additional inspiration came from sculptors Michelangelo, Bernini, Carpeaux and Rodin. The poetry of Eliot, Frost, Roethke and Graves, is important to Zenos, as is philosophy.Born in 1951 in San Francisco, Frudakis was raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, and Gary, Indiana, where he worked in the steel mills. He began drawing at a very young age, and in 1972 came to Philadelphia to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He studied sculpture with two Prix de Rome winners: his elder brother, sculptor Evangelos Frudakis, and painter James Hanes. At the University of Pennsylvania, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Fine Art.
International sculptures
- Reaching. Two figures Utsukushi-ga-hara Open Air Museum, Japan. 3rd Rodin Grand Prize Exhibition, July 20, 1990.
- Honor Guard. Memorial Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England. Dedication 2018.
- Martin Luther King and Freedom. Public sculpture Peace Garden, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Dedication October 19, 2018.
- Hon. Dame Lois Browne-Evans. Statue Justice Center, Dame Lois Browne Evans Building Hamilton, Bermuda. Dedication June 2011.
- Arnold Palmer. Statue Tralee Golf Club, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Dedication September 10, 2007.
- Dr. Constantine Papadakis. Drexel University President. Portrait bust Town Square, Meskla, Greece. Dedication July 24, 2010.
- Lamby, Irish Wolfhound. Statue Old Bladbean Stud Garden, Canterbury, Kent, England.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., South Africa. Portrait bust U.S. Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa. Dedication: January 16, 1989.
- Dr. Constantine 'Taki' Papadakis. Memorial Public Square in Meskla, Greece. Dedication: July 24, 2010.
American sculptures
In a career spanning over four decades, Frudakis has produced monumental figures such as the United States Air Force Memorial Honor Guard Installed at the Arlington National Cemetery, and Freedom in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMonumental sculptures
- Freedom Sculpture. Monument 16th and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Completed 2000. Dedication June 18, 2001.
- U.S. Air Force Memorial Honor Guard. Memorial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Dedication: October 14, 2006.
- Knowledge is Power. Monument Over 30 portraits from intellectual history, two 8 ft figures free standing. Relief wall portraits: Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Rachel Carson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Darwin, Albert Einstein, Alan Turing, John Muir, Thoreau. Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. Dedication Nov. 21, 2014.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Monument Martin Luther King Park, J. Lewis Crozer Library, Chester, Pennsylvania. Dedication November 23, 2010.
- The Path to Manhood. Monument Perot Quadrangle, St. Mark's School of Texas, Dallas, Texas.
Memorials
- U.S. Air Force Memorial Honor Guard. Memorial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Dedication: October 14, 2006.
- Molly Maguires Memorial. Molly Maguires Memorial Park, Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Dedication: June 21, 2002
- The Workers' Memorial. The Rose Garden, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by 20 unions, 15 non-union industries, 3 cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton Pennsylvania. Dedication: April 28, 1991.
- Anthracite Miners' Memorial. Relief Giard Park, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 1996.
- Nina Simone. Memorial Nina Simone Plaza, Tryon, North Carolina. Dedication: February 21, 2010.
- Henry L. Bowden. Memorial Henry L. Bowden Hall, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Dedication: 1991
- Mr. and Mrs Hillenbrand. Memorial Batesville Memorial Public Library, Batesville, Indiana. Dedication: 1988.
- Veterans Memorial. Memorial Henry L. Bowden Hall, Emory University, Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 1991.
Statues
- Clarence Darrow. Statue Rhea County Courthouse, Dayton, Tennessee. Dedication: July 14, 2017.
- Frederick Law Olmsted. Statue Blue Ridge Court, The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina. Dedication: April 22, 2015.
- Michael Kahn. former Artistic Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company. Statue Sidney Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, DC. Private Collection. Completed: 2012.
- John D. MacArthur. Statue Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Florida. Dedication: November 21, 2010.
- Frank L. Rizzo Monument. Statue. Municipal Services Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: January 1, 1999.
- *Removed June 3, 2020 after the Killing of George Floyd following years of controversy.
Sports sculptures
Boxing
- James J. Braddock, the Cinderella Man. Statue. Braddock Park, North Bergen, New Jersey. Dedication: September 26, 2018.
Golf
- Payne Stewart.. Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, North Carolina. Dedication: 2001
- Payne Stewart. Statue. Coyote Hills Golf Club, Fullerton, California.
- Payne Stewart. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Arnold Palmer. Statue. Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Augusta, Georgia. Dedication: April 9, 1996.
- Arnold Palmer. Statue. Arnold Palmer Airport, Latrobe, Pennsylvania; Laurel Valley Country Club, Ligonier, Pennsylvania; Tralee, Ireland.
- Jack Nicklaus. Statue. USGA Museum, Jack Nicklaus Room, Far Hills, New Jersey. Dedication: May 27, 2015.
- Jack Nicklaus. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Jack Nicklaus and Dwight Gahm. Statue. Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky. Dedication: March 8, 2016.
- Dinah Shore Wall of Champions. Relief sculpture. Mission Hills Country Club and Resort, Rancho Mirage, California. Dedication: March 26, 1995.
- Robert H. Dedman Sr.. Statue. Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina.
- Richard Tufts. Statue. Walk of Fame, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina.
- Bob Jones. Portrait bust. East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Bob Jones. Statue. Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Augusta, Georgia.
- Bob Jones. Distinguished Sportsman Award. Bob Jones, U.S. Golf Association Museum.
Baseball
- Mike Schmidt. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Mike Schmidt. Statue. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 12/4/2004.
- Steve Carlton. Statue. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 12/4/2004.
- Richie Ashburn. Statue. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 12/4/2004.
- Robin Roberts. Statue. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 12/4/2004.
- Joe DiMaggio and Young Boy. Statue. DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, Florida. Dedication: 10/10/2002.
- Danny Murtaugh Relief sculpture, Boston Braves, 1947. Athletes Hall of Fame, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Dedication: Nov. 20, 2011.
Hockey
- Brian Propp. Portrait bust. Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame. Additional casting in private collection.
Coaches
- Coach Fritz Brennan Statue. Lower Merion High School Arnold Field, Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Completed: 1990.
- Coach Ron Fraser. Statue. University of Miami, Miami, Florida. Dedication: April 24, 2015.
- Coach "Lake" Staffieri. Relief. Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: 2010.
Portrait busts
Contemporary
- Don McLean. American singer-songwriter. Portrait bust. Used on 1992 album Don McLean Classics. Private collection.
- Jacques Pépin. French-American chef, author, culinary educator, television personality, artist. Portrait bust. Stone Acres Farm. Dedication: October 13, 2019.
- Philip Cohen. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Sir Paul Girolami. British-Italian businessman, CEO of Glaxo, Inc. Portrait bust. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; London, England; Tokyo, Japan.
- John D. MacArthur. American Businessman and philanthropist. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Edmund N. Bacon. American urban planner, architect, educator and author. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Samuel L. Evans. Civil rights activist, education innovator, community service advocate, chamber music impresario. Founder of the American Foundation for Negro Affairs. Portrait bust. AFNA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dedication: May 27, 2015.
- Nina Simone. American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger and civil rights activist. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Sheila. Portrait bust. Museum of the Academy of Design, Permanent Collection. National Academy of Design, New York, New York.
- Dr. Stone. Portrait bust. Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Dr. Norman Adrian Wiggins. President of Campbell University, 1967-2003. Portrait bust. Dr. Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Dedication: April 9, 2010.
- Robert H. Dedman, Sr.. Businessman, philanthropist. Portrait bust. Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law. Additional castings, private collections.
- Rosalie Frudakis. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Mr. Mederios. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Mrs. Mederios. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Mr. Cognetta. Portrait bust. Private collection, Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut.
Government/military
- General Grant. 18th President of the United States, U.S. Secretary of War, 6th Commanding General of the U.S. Army. Portrait bust The Lotos Club, New York, New York.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower. 34th President of the United States, General of the U.S. Army. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Winston Churchill. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Alexander Hamilton. First U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Founding Father of U.S., Military Commander. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Benjamin Franklin. Founding Father of U.S., U.S. Minister to France and Sweden. Portrait bust. Private collection.
- Frank Rizzo. Mayor of Philadelphia.
- Chief Justice Birch. American lawyer and judge, first African American to serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Portrait bust. Tennessee Supreme Court, Nashville, Tennessee.
- John Sevier. First Governor of Tennessee. Portrait bust. Sevier Public Library, King Family Library, Sevierville, Tennessee. Additional castings in private collections.
- General Yarborough. Senior U.S. Army officer, "Father of the Modern Green Berets." Designed U.S. Army's parachutist badge, paratrooper boots and airborne jump uniform. Portrait bust. Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
- K. Leroy Irvis. Teacher, activist, politician. First African American to serve as speaker of the house in U.S. state legislature since Reconstruction. Portrait bust. State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Additional castings in private collections.
- Marine. U.S. Marine killed in Iraq. Portrait bust. Private collection.
Historic
- Mark Twain. American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer. Portrait bust. The Lotos Club, New York, New York.
- Albert Einstein. Theoretical physicist. Portrait bust. Studio collection.
- Amelia Earhart. American aviation pioneer and author. Portrait bust. Studio collection.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson. American essayist, lecturer, philosopher and poet. Portrait bust. Studio collection.
- Edgar Allan Poe. American writer, poet, editor and literary critic. Portrait bust. Studio collection.
- Dante. Italian poet. Portrait bust. Studio collection.
Selected awards
In 1990, Frudakis was invited to participate in Japan's Third Rodin Grand Prize Exhibition, where he won the Hakone Award at Utsukushi-ga-hara Open Air Museum. The museum purchased a cast of Frudakis's sculpture Reaching.
In 1991 he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an associate member, and became a full academician in 1993.