Why was this Black American Sailor Sculptured by Fredda Brilliant (1903 – 1999)? – David Harper

This is Wade King, a black American Navy sailor who went AWOL during the Second World War in London. He was spotted by the Polish born artist Fredda Brilliant who thought he was beautiful and so asked if she could sculpt him – Ward agreed and turned up to Freda’s studio regularly to sit for the sculpture. Fredda Brilliant only discovered later that Ward was on the run from the US Navy.