Artists, civic leaders, celebrities pay tribute to Robert Graham

A hushed throng of artists, arts patrons and civic leaders joined friends and family of the late sculptor Robert Graham at a funeral Mass on Wednesday morning at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Filing through the cathedral’s “Great Bronze Doors,” which Graham considered his greatest public commission, the crowd came to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of a creative force who died at 70 on Dec. 27 after a long illness.

Los Angeles’ leading public artist, Graham is probably best known for sculptural monuments in prominent locations across the country, including tributes to Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington, Joe Louis in Detroit, Duke Ellington in New York and Charlie “Bird” Parker in Kansas City, Mo. But his most enduring subject was the female nude, which he explored in hundreds of works, large and small, throughout his long career.

The funeral, conducted by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, lauded both aspects of his artistic achievement as well as his endearing personal qualities. Recounting his experiences with Graham during the design process for the cathedral doors, Mahony noted that the artist insisted on making the doors open inward as a welcoming gesture to all who entered, thus breaking the city code requiring doors of public buildings to open outward.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor,” Mahony said with a nod to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who later delivered a eulogy to the artist. “Please don’t tell the building department. It’s too late.”

Steven Graham, the artist’s son; Jack Quinn, a close friend; and actor Danny Huston, half brother of Graham’s widow, actress Anjelica Huston, gave readings during the service. After Communion, Anjelica Huston read a poem, “He Bids His Beloved Be at Peace” by William Butler Yeats, and family friends provided personal remembrances.

Villaraigosa called Graham “a sculptor in love with humanity.” Gallerist Earl McGrath recalled the joy of being a matchmaker between Graham and Huston and serving as best man at their wedding.

Roy Doumani, for whom Graham designed a house in Venice, said his friend “had dignity without conceit or arrogance. Dignity means being worthy of honor, and the word describes him well.”

In her eulogy, Maria Shriver, who attended with her husband, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, recounted a visit to Graham’s studio with her “very Catholic” mother. Quietly appalled by her intimate tour of nude sculptures, the older woman ended the session with a prayer for her daughter, the artist and “his poor wife,” who had to endure the presence of so many unseemly artworks.

For Shriver, however, Graham was a great, longtime friend who made an enormous contribution. “He was a work of art, and his life was a masterpiece,” she said.

Among the artists in attendance were David Hockney, Peter Alexander and Helen Pashgian. Other artists, including Tony Berlant, Tom Holland, Ed Moses and Doug Wheeler, served as pallbearers.

-- Suzanne Muchnic

Visitors gather outside Graham’s “Great Bronze Doors” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Actor Jack Nicholson was among those attending the funeral.

California First Lady Maria Shriver, who delivered the eulogy.

Pallbearers included artists Tony Berlant; Tom Holland; Ed Moses and Doug Wheeler; gallerist Earl McGrath; as well as Graham's son, Steven Graham; and Huston's half brother, actor Danny Huston.

Actor Harrison Ford was among those paying respect to the late artist.

Actress Sharon Stone after the service.

Cardinal Roger Mahony and Anjelica Huston.

Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[R.A. Juergens-Marchand]

I am so sorry, Anjelica, for your loss. May every tear you shed bring healing to your whole being.

R.A. Juergens-Marchand
Chelsea, Michigan

[Nicescool]

I was at the cermemony and it was moving. A great life of someone who was loved!

[Donald Frazell]

Graham was far more of a Classical sculptor than contemporary, and his widow Huston made a hilarious movie about the absurity of Contemp art with John Malkovich, Art School Confidential. Nailed the self absorbed nonsense of academic "fine" art colleges.

Graham was good, made nice public sculptures, not Rodin, but who is? And the Cathedral is hideous, cold, sterile, unfeeling inside and out, even the doors cant save it. LA is far from being a Venice, certainly not a Florence, of America. Mostly decorative childishness, but not overly pompous trivialities. Grahams were as solid as we have, next to Diebenkorn, and Francis, who was more a Bay area guy. Romero did some nice work, but wel have a big hill to climib, and begin to be serious, to be taken seriously as an art "capital". We are the movie capital, thats it. And a huge port, with pop music, not much else worth talking about. Certainly not art, but who does nowadays?

Graham was as good as we had, hope kids stop playing around and become as focused and open to the real world as he was.

[M Oberhofer]

The collector who spoke at the service of purchasing his first Robert Graham statue at the Nick Wilder Gallery and how it led to his matchmaking efforts
between Robert and Angelica was great.

[Michael Palecki]

The most fascinating aspect about the Funeral Mass this morning for Robert Graham was the interplay between religious and secular. For years, the elegant and dazzling nude sclptures of Graham have been trendsetting. When I interviewed him years ago he commented, "Each generation has it's own attitude toward the human form". It was a joy to hear Cardinal Roger Mahony confess how relieved he was when he saw the first scale model for the Madonna over The Great Bronze Doors. He exclaimed to Graham, "Thank you! Thank You! - she has clothes on." That's because the studio of Graham was filled with classical nudes as well. On another occasion, Maria Shriver's mother left the studio -clutching her rosary. Only the charismatic personality and enoromous talent of Graham could have prevailed. History will treat him well and Los Angeles will miss Robert Graham.

[Mat Gleason]

That guest list alone is a testament to Robert Graham's greatness.

[Amos]

Inspired my dreams and direction to understanding creating form.

[Daniel Brosamle]

Dear Anjelica, There are no words to express my feelings. You know I love you and Robert and that my sadness is compounded with my inability to be at the celebration of Robert's life. My work here in Vienna is soon to be done and I know that when I return to Los Angeles I will feel a profound sense of emptiness and a distinct void.
My Love,
Daniel.

[Paul Knotter]

Everyone is inspired by the spirit Robert brought to his life and Art. Thank you Robert for creating and sharing your vision with us all. Anjelica's beautiful reciting of Yeat's poem brought tears and everyone at the ceremony was so loving. Art can and does remain with us forever.

[karryon99]

I'm a huge Anjelica Huston fan and I feel sorry for her on the loss of her husband.
Karen
Montreal,Quebec, Canada

[maddie]

Im a Big Fan of Anjelica Huston and I Send my Condolences to Her for the Loss of Her Husband

[Iris]

Chere Anjelica
I am so sad, my heart its with you, Robert was a great artist and inspiration
And I am sure he was great Person.
My Prayers are with you
I wish you the gift of a memory whenever you need to go, the one you love still walks with you...
He will be in Our Memories Forever...
We love you Robert.

Adios Robert Eres una estrella mas en el firmamento que brillara por siempre...

Iris(born mexican like robert)
London,Canada

[Stacie Fox]

As an Angelino. I take great comfort and pride knowing that this fine city was and is graced with Robert Graham's work. As my children grow up. I will be able to show them that fine art comes in all shapes and sizes as he depicted.
May G-d comfort his wife and family at this most difficult time.

Stacie Fox
proud Angelino

[Sherri Kandell]

Anyone who admires both his Art and his Being must see his glorious gates leading into The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. When I had the distinct and unexpected thrill of meeting Robert Graham in his gallery/studio, I blurted out how I thought he was America's most important sculpture...and he graciously smiled at the mistake. Though in retrospect he was a beautiful sculpture of a man, as well as one of America's most important sculptors. I also asked if he had ever seen his gates since they were installed at the museum in Honolulu, to which he replied no he never had. I then told him that the 'okole' (buttocks) of the woman's torso had been rubbed and touched so many times, that the patina had become noticeably different that the rest of the body...much like the beloved (and rubbed) belly of many of the Buddahs in Thailand.and Burma. He laughed and told me that he loved the notion of that image. Know that those of us who loved and appreciated his art and his humanity mourn his passing but rejoice in his immortality via his family, his work and by carrying him in our hearts and memories.

w/ warm Aloha,

Sherri Kandell, Honolulu, Hawaii

[Lucie]

I love you, Anjelica.... you've been a great couple in my eyes, I'm very sorry for your loss - I know it won't help, but I'm sending you a big and frank hug...

your Lucie

[Cezara]

I saw few times Robert in videos but I didn't need to hear him say much in order to know he was a great man.I am sorry for the loss of such a GREAT MAN.Be strong Anjelica!
A fan of a beautiful couple...

Cezara Petre,Romania

[Morticia]

I am so sorry Anjelica to hear this very sad news, I hope he is watching over you everyday from heaven

xxxx

[sara]

no one is tell me who is bob graham im doing a project and i cant find our what he done as an artist!!!!!

[Sherry]

Sara,

try this

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-graham28-2008dec28,0,1462384.story