Cicero Osco Pilgrim (1927 - 1973)

Born 4 Dec 1927 in Wooster, Faulkner, Arkansas, United States

Husband of Lee (McCray) Ealy — married 21 Jun 1953 (to 13 Aug 1973) in Faulkner, Arkansas, United States

Died 13 Aug 1973 at age 45 in Faulkner, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Cicero Pilgrim is Notable.

Cicero Osco Pilgrim is notable for his significant contributions as a self-taught African American sculptor. Despite his limited formal education, he developed a highly personal and often humorous style that showcased his innate artistic talent. His sculptures, created primarily during the 1950s and 1960s, exhibited a unique vision that defied traditional African or European influences. Pilgrim's artwork gained recognition in the local community of Faulkner County, Arkansas, where he lived, and his sculptures were collected by institutions like the Faulkner County Museum and Hendrix College. His masterpiece, "The Last Days," is a testament to his artistic prowess and remains a poignant representation of his doomsday message. Cicero Osco Pilgrim's story is a testament to the power of self-expression and the enduring impact of artistic creativity, making him a notable figure in the world of sculpture.^[1]

Cicero Osco Pilgrim, an African American sculptor, was born on December 4, 1927, in Wooster, Faulkner County, Arkansas. His parents were Boyd Pilgrim and Beulah Mae (Nelson) Pilgrim. Cicero had at least three older siblings. Tragically, his father passed away approximately a year after Cicero's birth, and his mother later remarried.^[1][2]

Cicero's formal education was limited, as he only attended school until the third grade. Despite lacking formal training, he became a self-taught sculptor known for his unique and personal style, often incorporating humor into his works. Interestingly, Cicero's sculptures showed little influence from traditional African or European art forms.^[1]

During his early years, Cicero lived with his family in Clifton Township, Faulkner County, Arkansas.^[3] In 1950, he lived in Cadron Township, Faulkner County, and worked as a farm laborer.^[4]

He married Lee Ethel McCray on June 21, 1953 in Faulkner County, Arkansas.^[5] On a small farm near his birthplace, Cicero and his family engaged in various activities, such as raising farm animals, gardening, fishing, frog gigging, and hunting small animals. To earn extra money, Cicero took on different jobs like bricklaying, roofing, and tree trimming and removal. It was during the 1950s that he worked on a section gang, laying and repairing tracks for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. At night, using pocketknives and carpenter's tools, he would create his sculptures at the kitchen table.^[1]

Cicero's masterpiece, The Last Days, believed to have been created around 1967, depicts two women. One woman holds a tiny child at the highest point of the sculpture, while the other is seated in a relaxed, nude, and sensual pose. Surrounding the women, four birds cling to the wood, three animals attempt to hide, and a fourth animal threatens the world beyond the carving. This piece carries a doomsday message, which contrasts with the lightheartedness and humor found in other works like Nat King Cole with Sailfish and Smiling Dog. Some of Cicero's other notable sculptures include Dark Woman, Abe Lincoln, Flying Bear, and Spotted Horse.^[1]

In the 1960s, Cicero began offering his sculptures for sale to the people of Faulkner County, particularly those who had hired him for tree-trimming services. Through this grassroots approach, his art gradually gained recognition within the local community. In the early 1970s, the art department of Hendrix College recognized Cicero's exceptional talent and organized an exhibition of his work at the Trieschmann Gallery, which celebrated his unique artistic expression. Over time, the Faulkner County Museum has collected his sculptures, numerous Conway families, and Hendrix College, where eleven of his works are on permanent display in the library.^[1]

Tragically, Cicero Osco Pilgrim's life was cut short when he suffered a heart attack on August 13, 1973^[6] in Faulkner County, Arkansas. He was buried at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church near Wooster, leaving behind a legacy of captivating sculptures that continue to be cherished and admired for their personal vision and artistic brilliance.^[1][7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Hawes, Bill and Crowder, Ashby Bland., Hendrix College, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 16 Jun 2023. "Cicero Osco Pilgrim (1927–1973)." Accessed 17 Jul 2023.
2. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Clifton, Faulkner, Arkansas; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0013; FHL microfilm: 2339809 Ancestry Record 6224 #106151551
3. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Clifton, Faulkner, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00135; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 23-14 Ancestry Record 2442 #101147652
4. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Cadron, Faulkner, Arkansas; Roll: 792; Page: 28; Enumeration District: 23-14 Ancestry Record 62308 #31300129
5. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1953; Film: #3 Ancestry Record 61775 #1241821
6. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #49024308
7. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46087793/cicero-osco-pilgrim: accessed 17 July 2023), memorial page for Cicero Osco -Pete- Pilgrim (4 Dec 1927–13 Aug 1973), Find A Grave: Memorial #46087793, citing Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Cemetery, Wooster, Faulkner County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Michael (contributor 49749450).