A controversial new statue “in honor of” Arthur Ashe was unveiled outside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday the 30th. It is a fourteen-foot-tall nude statue of an African-American man commissioned by the USTA and sculpted by Eric Fischl. Ashe’s widow approves of it. An article (with small photo) is here. I couldn’t find a picture taken from the front, but not for lack of trying.
Although I generally consider myself to be pretty conservative, I really don’t see what the big deal is. Any thoughts, dopers?
Eric Fischl, the sculptor, said:
Hard to tell why people would expect to see a statue of Arthur Ashe outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Silly people.
Mike Ainslie, member of the United States Tennis Association board of directors, said:
Was Ashe a nudist? I don’t recall him playing tennis naked–I’m sure thatwould have made a few headlines.
I have nothing against nudity–in statues, or in people–but this strikes me as stupid and gratuitous. To claim a statue of a generic nude black guy is an “honor” for Arthur Ashe is ridiculous.