Gib Singleton

[1] Born Gilbert Singleton in Kennett, Missouri in 1936, he began developing his artistic abilities at an early age, using whatever materials were available to a young farm boy.

At age 16, he became interested in bronze and built his own foundry, using a cut down steel 55 gallon drum, a discarded vacuum cleaner, and trial and error.

He tells of selling his work on the streets of New York City, sleeping on the Connecticut beaches, and often going hungry while developing the unique style that he has termed, "emotional realism".

[7] He is survived by his third wife, Evangeline Harris-Singleton; two of his four children, Shelly Jay Kinder Singleton and Sherri Kay Dooley; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three step-children and four step-grandchildren,; one of two brothers and one of two sisters and several nieces and nephews; two former wives; and his two loyal, companion dogs.

[8] In addition to the bronze crucifix atop the Popes' crosier, Singleton's crucifixes, crosses and other sculptures are on display in Italy at the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin (home to the Shroud of Turin), and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence.

[10] Fourteen of his life-size pieces are featured in the Stations of the Cross Prayer Garden at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico.