I was elated to have the opportunity to create a bronze sculpture of the United States Vice President Kamala D. Harris for the new Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California. My elation was threefold; documenting art, our first female U.S. VP, who is also the first female of African American
descent, and having the personal opportunity to render a bronze bust that will be stored forever in the
historical archives of our country.
My inspiration for the sculpture came from studying Vice President Harris on television interviews,
through various pictures, and sketches that I created to render the closest likeness to her as possible. I was determined to add as many details as possible to sculpt a life-like 3-dimensional portrait without
making the rendering too busy. It was the pearls and her smile for me.
Most often in the final phase of completing a bronze artwork, sculptors can rely on using a higher polish or a darker patination on certain areas of the sculpture to display shades, shadows, and highlights. I wanted her pearls and smile to stand out and chose to use a color process to whiten those areas with a balance of the final patina to make the bronze bust of VP Harris as life-like as possible.
At the unveiling there were many who told me how life-like and happy she looked. I was happy to hear
those comments and accolades to confirm that I achieved my goal.
I have always been fascinated with art. I love great paintings, however 3-dimensional art has
intrigued me the most. I studied art under private coaches and art teachers, attended classes at Riverside Community College, El Camino College, and California State Dominguez Hills University to take classes. I studied art in Italy, in a workshop where I learned so much about art and gained a greater appreciation for art, its history and many of the artists that I’ve studied.
My breakthrough came when I was commissioned by the Black Voice Foundation to create the bronze
bust of Booker T. Washington, in 2004. The bust is on permanent display at the Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA. I have since created art, awards and bronze sculptures for Michelle Obama, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (King of Nigeria), NBC Studios, CBS Studios, California State San Bernardino, Stevie Wonder and Westside Action Group to name a few.
My work can be seen at California State San Bernardino. I have been commissioned to create life-sized bronze statues of George & Pauline Murillo at California State San Bernardino University on the grounds of the Murillo Observatory. Also, at CSUSB’s Legacy Fountain, you can observe my bronze seated sculptures of Drs. Evan, Fau and Karnig, the three former presidents of the university.
I endeavor to contribute many more sculptures, paintings and writings to document history/herstory
and to encourage, inspire and motivate other artisans to do the same.
The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California seeks to archive local civil rights movements past,
present and future so individuals can have access to accurate history. The project’s development began over 20 years ago with several organizations meeting to discuss how they can record the stories of local heroes who impacted their community.
The Civil Rights Institute will be located within the Mission Heritage Plaza, a multi-purpose community
hub for the institute, the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, affordable housing, an interactive
civil rights museum, a diversity center and many more resources for the inland area.
There will be 72 affordable housing units available, with room for seniors, veterans and Section 8
housing. It will be steps away from the Fox Performing Arts Theater in downtown Riverside.
Construction was completed in Fall 2022, and the opening date for full occupancy is to be determined.
-BerniE
