Ross Strudwick
Mary Ross Strudwick (born 1951; died November 20, 2008) was a painter, sculptor, and installation artist, best known for her elaborate altar pieces. She was known to her friends by her middle name, Ross. As a teenager, she studied art in Italy. She is said to have been one of the first artists in Birmingham to take installation art seriously. In the 1970's, she had an art studio above the L & N Cafe downtown. She later shared a house with Karl Schaeffer on 15th Avenue South. At the time of her death, Strudwick was married to Jimmy Griffin, a longtime employee at Charlemagne Records. She and Jimmy lived at 1710 15th Avenue South for many years. She had one daughter, Sonia Kellermann Warfel, her child with her first husband, John Kellermann, who was a well-known Birmingham musician before he moved to Portland, Oregon. She had two grandchildren, Keller and Evelyn Warfel.
Strudwick died November 20, 2008. Her memorial service, held at Bare Hands Gallery, drew over 200 well-wishers, including many notables of Southside's golden era of counterculture. Eulogies were delivered by Johnny Coley, her daughter Sonia, her sister JoAnne, Jonah Schaeffer, and Tommy Carr.
References
- "Mary Ross Strudwick" obituary (November 24, 2008) Birmingham News
External links
- Ross Strudwick Fan Club on facebook.com