Zoneboy
04-28-2009, 10:35 AM
Link (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Sugar-Shack-Artist-Dies.html)
One-time professional football player and celebrated artist Ernie Barnes has died at the age of 70.
Barnes is regarded by art historians as one of the premier figurative artists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and one of the nation's foremost African American painters.
He's also one of the most collected artists in America.
Barnes' famous "Sugar Shack" dance scene, which appeared on a Marvin Gaye album and the closing credits of the "Good Times" television show, has been widely imitated.
For five years beginning in 1959, Barnes played for the Washington Redskins, the Baltimore Colts, the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.
Luz Rodriguez, who was Barnes' personal assistant, told City News Service that Barnes died Monday night at Cedars Sinai Medical Center after a brief illness.
One-time professional football player and celebrated artist Ernie Barnes has died at the age of 70.
Barnes is regarded by art historians as one of the premier figurative artists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and one of the nation's foremost African American painters.
He's also one of the most collected artists in America.
Barnes' famous "Sugar Shack" dance scene, which appeared on a Marvin Gaye album and the closing credits of the "Good Times" television show, has been widely imitated.
For five years beginning in 1959, Barnes played for the Washington Redskins, the Baltimore Colts, the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.
Luz Rodriguez, who was Barnes' personal assistant, told City News Service that Barnes died Monday night at Cedars Sinai Medical Center after a brief illness.