David Adickes, a Houston-based artist whose works include the 67-foot statue of Sam Houston in his native Huntsville, died Sunday night, according to his publicist. He was 98 years old.
In addition to the sculpture of Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and the namesake of Adickes’ adopted hometown, the artist also was known for creating sculptures of other historical figures, including The Beatles and busts of each of the first 43 presidents of the United States. Some of Adickes’ other works have been prominently displayed around Houston, including the colorful “We Love Houston” sign that previously was situated along Interstate 10.
Tammy Dowe, his publicist and art representative, said those around Adickes often joked that he was “larger than life, much like his sculptures.”
“He is the Willie Nelson of Houston when it comes to the arts,” she said. “He was a whimsical gentleman and a brilliant mathematician. He applied that to his sculpture work and his painting.”
Adickes had a stroke in December, according to Dowe, who said he is survived by his longtime partner, Linda Wiley, as well as a daughter and two granddaughters, among many other relatives and friends.
Dowe said Adickes’ first work in Houston was the “Virtuoso” sculpture, depicting a man with a mustache who is playing the cello, which was erected downtown in 1983.
Houston artist Mitch Cohen, who hosts the First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights neighborhood, described Adickes as “approachable and easy to talk to.”
“David’s easygoing nature made you feel like a friend, even after a brief encounter,” Cohen said. “While he’s renowned for his larger-than-life sculptures, I admired his early paintings, which he continued to create in the shadow of his monumental works.”
A trip to South Dakota gave Adickes the idea for the Sam Houston sculpture in his hometown of Huntsville. It’s been situated along I-45 for more than 30 years, according to Dowe.
“He was inspired to do Sam, actually, because of a visit to Mount Rushmore,” Dowe said. “He came back and did Sam Houston.”
Adickes then set out to create his own busts of U.S. presidents. He completed three sets of busts of every president from George Washington through Barack Obama, according to Dowe, who said two of the sets are in South Dakota and Virginia. Adickes was trying to secure a Texas-based home for the third set at the time of his death, she said.
The “We Love Houston” sign that previously sat along I-10 is now at Hobby Airport. Dowe said another version of the sign will be displayed at Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston’s other major airport.
“It is truly David’s love letter to Houston,” Dowe said. “He’s leaving that legacy by sharing that work with visitors and residents alike.”
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