David Adickes...Texas Artist and Sculptor

The career of well known Texas artist and sculptor, David Adickes, spans 6 decades. Born in Huntsville, Texas, Adickes soon left home for a stint in the military. Although he has a degree in math and physics, he pursued art and studied in France and studied from 1948 to 1950 with modern French master Fernand Leger. After his studies, Adickes chose to return to the Houston area which is close to his home town of Huntsville. When asked, Adickes stated that he could have pursued a career in New York but he found it a little nervous!

David Adickes art has been featured in many one man shows across the United States and in France where he lived for six years early in his career. Mr. Adickes is well traveled and has circled the globe painting in Tahiti, Japan, Spain. His art is featured in many museums, and hundreds of corporate and private collections.

The Virtuoso was David Adickes first large size sculpture commissioned in 1983 by the Lyric Center. The 76 foot statue of Sam Houston located in Huntsville, Texas was completed in 1994. His seven year project building presidential parks in South Dakota (August 2003) and Williamsburg, Virginia (March 2004) began in 1996.

In 2003 Adickes returned to painting and produced many fine works. However, his love of sculpture inspired him to create his statue of Stephen F. Austin located in Henry Munson Park in Brazoria County, Texas. The statue of the Father of Texas is 60 foot tall resting on a 12 foot base making the exhibit a total of 72 feet tall and visible for many miles around.

Partnering with developers who are creating a planned urban development in Pearland about fifteen minutes south of Downtown Houston, Adickes has created 43 presidential heads to be placed in Presidential Park™. The Water Lights District will include residential and business park areas. There will be a Grand Canal™ and Restaurant Row™. The Water Lights District is expected to be a strong tourist attraction and bring many visitors to Pearland, Texas and Brazoria County.

The Beatles exhibit is not in the same style of the presidents but is more in the style of his paintings. The final home of The Beatles will be close to Adickes offices on Shepherd Drive in Houston.

The art and sculpture of David Adickes is not without its critics. Some do not approve of having art located along the highways of any major city. There have been critics who fairly or unfairly claim that Adickes’ statues lack vibrancy and life that bring them alive like the work of the masters. Some of the criticism has been down right nasty. The names of these critics were deliberately left out of this piece. It seemed important to give a balanced view of opinion of the art of David Adickes. I do not pretend to be knowledgeable about good art but I do enjoy the sculptures and feel that the placement of these works in Houston will benefit the community. I enjoyed viewing The Virtuoso for many years before I heard of David Adickes. I admit to bias as a Native Houstonian.