Offered is an original 42 inch-tall bronze statue of Elvis Presley by the artist Eric Vernon Parks, known for creating the massive 9 1/2 foot tall statue of Elvis that has resided in Memphis for the last 40 year. The clay model from which this bronze was created was one of Park's preliminary versions when creating the final statue. The tale of creating the statue is one of true artistic inspiration.
On August 17, 1977, William M. Matthews, Jr. Chairman of Union Planters National Bank of Memphis, Tennessee asked Eric Parks to create a memorial to Memphis' most famous son, Elvis Aaron Presley, who had passed away the previous day. The sculptor began building preliminary models in preparation for the full-sized memorial and developed several different conceptual versions for the sculpture, including the example offered here.
Park's doggedly persisted in his quest to create a compelling likeness and so began work on his third and final preliminary model. While sculpting this 42-inch standing figure an event took place in Parks' life experience so unfamiliar and extraordinary that he was unable to acknowledge or accept it for seven years. Late one November afternoon, while working in his studio in rural Pennsylvania, something from above and behind hit him in the upper right rear part of his head. The impact threw his head forward such that his forehead missed a corner of the modeling stand. His first thought was one of relief at having not hit his head. The next was a question: what had hit him?
Turning around and looking up in the direction of the large studio skylights from which this "beam of energy" had come, he saw only the blue sky and white clouds of a beautiful day in the country. Somewhat puzzled, he turned back to the sculpture and at that instant realized that a "veil" had lifted, allowing him to understand and visualize his final image of Elvis Presley. After months of fruitless study, alternate compositions and changes, an exact likeness and startlingly life-like image was finished in a few days. His hands seemed to complete the modeling on his own.
Only after many years in a moment of deep meditation did the artist recall what had actually happened on that day, the instantaneous revelation that allowed him to create this image of Elvis. On August 16, 1980, Eric Parks' 9 1/2 ft. bronze statue was unveiled on Beale St. in Memphis by Sam Phillips before a crowd of several thousand sobbing fans.
The offered 42-inch tall bronze shares much with the final artwork, including the likeness, the historic confidence of Elvis' pose with his arms spread and guitar in hand, and the inspired brilliance of the artist. It remains in exquisite condition, with only mild expected distresses. Park's final masterpiece will forever be enshrined in Memphis, to be marveled at for generations to come, but this artwork, created along the stairway of inspiration that culminated in the final statue, presents a unique opportunity to acquire a true piece of Elvis' legacy. Near Mint condition.
Please note: Due to size and weight, shipping will be expense. Delivery can be arranged with the winning bidder in cooperation with Rockhurst Auctions.