She’s undeniably iconic. Yet, she deserves far more than what has been presented in her tribute.
Last month, a 10-foot bronze statue honoring the late singer-songwriter Tina Turner was unveiled in her hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee. This week, it has come under heavy criticism on social media, with many users referring to it as an “abomination” and “an insult to a great artist.”
Positioned at Heritage Park, located opposite Carver High School—Turner’s alma mater—the statue was created by Atlanta-based artist Fred Ajanogha, and funded by around 50 donors, including Ford Motor Company, which allocated $150,000 as part of a community preservation initiative, according to a press statement.
The statue represents Turner mid-performance, wearing a short skirt and heels, while holding a microphone aloft. However, many viewers have criticized the statue’s distorted facial features and its exaggerated, voluminous hair—drawing comparisons to Cousin It or the whimsical truffula trees from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, rather than reflecting the iconic wigs Turner sported throughout her career.
In a conversation with Hyperallergic, Ajanogha mentioned his intentions during the statue’s unveiling, stating he aimed to capture Turner in her dynamic on-stage presence and to illustrate her strength as a woman, akin to “the mane of a lion.”
This statue joins a lengthy list of public artworks that have faced scrutiny, alongside tributes to figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Lucille Ball, Dwyane Wade, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The backlash against this sculpture is especially poignant considering Turner’s legacy, renowned for her musical prowess and her courageous stand against the racism and sexism she faced throughout her career.
The response on social media has been rife with memes targeting the statue’s mishaps. While some comments are humorous—such as ones photoshopping Oprah Winfrey into the mix—others present strikingly disrespectful comparisons to the statue. Some users have linked it to Hank Willis Thomas’s contentious sculpture in Boston Common, which drew fire for unintended phallic implications.
Calls for a more fitting tribute to Turner have surfaced, such as comedian Kevin Fredericks’s video response on X:
“What’s art got to do with it? Who is this? She deserved better,” Fredericks remarked.
Hyperallergic has reached out to Ajanogha for further comment.
Yet, perhaps Ajanogha encapsulated the sentiment best when he acknowledged during his remarks that replicating the legendary musician’s flawless likeness is a tall order.
“You can channel her, but there’s only one Tina Turner,” he expressed.
