Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Li'l Tuffy Adrift in a Sea of Peril in Stoneware by Malcolm Mobutu Smith

About the Item

Malcolm Mobutu Smith Li'l Tuffy Adrift in a Sea of Peril, 2019 Stoneware, slip and glaze Measures: 8.5 x 8 x 9 in "This piece features a character called Li’l Tuffy from a coloring book published in 1971 by Johnson Pub of ( Ebony, Jet and Essence magazine fame) and was created by my mother. My mother, a white woman, married to a black man in the tumultuous 60’s and knew that her children would be “black” and she also knew and found that there was little to nothing on store shelves that reflected the lives of black children SO she determined ( with her Art degree from Michigan State and encouragement from family ) to make her own coloring book and get it published. I was born in 69 and my brother in 71 -- as such Tuffy is me and my brother in fact and form and fantasy. We are the model for the character. He is our avatar." -Malcolm Mobutu Smith.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Stoneware,Glazed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    2019
  • Production Type:
    New & Custom(One of a Kind)
  • Estimated Production Time:
    Available Now
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: MMoS10011stDibs: LU945827933052
More From This SellerView All
  • Tuffy Made Safe in Stoneware and Glaze by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Malcolm Mobutu Smith Tuffy Made Safe, 2021 Stoneware, slip and glaze 7 x 19 x 16 in “Tuffy, a character created as the antidote to racial exclusion and injustices — a character representing every black...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

  • Currentbodies in Stoneware by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    MALCOLM MOBUTU SMITH Currentbodies, 2013 Stoneware, slip and glaze 5 x 5 x 8 in
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

  • Whitewash in Stoneware and Glaze by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Malcolm Mobutu Smith Whitewash, 2010 Stoneware, slip and glaze 10 x 19.5 x 18.5 in “Whitewash is pretty much straight absurdist – deployment of an actual character created for ...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

  • Gleeful Anxiety in Stoneware and Glaze by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Malcolm Mobutu Smith Gleeful Anxiety, 2021 Stoneware, slip and glaze Measures: 10 x 17.5 x 14.5 in.
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

  • Uppity Uproar in Stoneware and Glaze by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Malcolm Mobutu Smith Uppity Uproar, 2021 Stoneware, slip and glaze Measures: 9 x 13 x 19 in.
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

  • Two True in Stoneware and Glaze by Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    By Malcolm Mobutu Smith
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    Malcolm Mobutu Smith Two True, 2012 Stoneware, slip and glaze Size: 10 x 13 x 15.5 in From the 'Racial Stereotypes' series.  
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Stoneware

You May Also Like
  • A Pair Of Marble Elephants By Maitland Smith
    By Maitland Smith
    Located in London, GB
    A pair of tessellated Italian Emporador Marble and brass tusked elephants by Maitland Smith. Seated with up turned trunks, on black marble bases.
    Category

    Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures

    Materials

    Marble, Brass

  • Parachute Floor Lamp 'Malcolm 1' by Bec Brittain
    By Bec Brittain
    Located in New York, NY
    Unique and dynamic parachute lamp with a lacquered black aluminum base. A clever and engaging piece that enhances any space. Additional Information: From acclaimed lighting designer Bec Brittain, a new series of dynamic, whimsical lighting...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary American Floor Lamps

    Materials

    Aluminum, Brass, Metallic Thread

  • Patinated Bronze Ballerina Sculpture by Malcolm Moran
    By Malcolm Moran
    Located in San Diego, CA
    A really cool patinated bronze child ballerina sculpture by Malcolm Moran, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4"W x 4.5"D x 5.25"H. The sculpture h...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Stoneware Sculpture of Boy with Bear in Ceramic by Knud Kyhn
    By Royal Copenhagen, Knud Kyhn
    Located in Berlin, BE
    Stoneware Sculpture of Boy with Bear in ceramic by Knud Kyhn Stoneware sculpture of boy with bear from Royal Copenhagen. Additional information:...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • "Benga, " Important Photograph of Barthe Sculpture by M. Smith
    By Richmond Barthé
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    This original black and white photograph of one of Richmond Barthé's most important sculptures was taken by the famous studio of Morgan and Marvin Smith, who located on West 125th Street next to the renowned Apollo Theater. The Smith brothers moved from their native Kentucky to New York in the early 1930s, and proceeded to establish a studio that brought together almost every major figure in the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, mentoring artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, Selma Burke, Ernest Crichlow and Robert Blackburn. The Smiths captured the night life of Harlem, including musicians and actors such as Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier, Eartha Kitt, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Count Basie, Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday, Hattie McDaniels, Zora Neal Hurston, Step n' Fetchit, Pearl Bailey...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Sculptures

    Materials

    Paper

  • Tessellated Stone Decorative Boot in Brass by Maitland Smith
    By Maitland Smith
    Located in San Diego, CA
    Beautiful and rare decorative boot in tessellated stone by Maitland Smith, circa 1970s nice patinated brass inlaid can be used to put pocket change or ashtray, etc.
    Category

    Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Stone, Brass

Recently Viewed

View All