OBIT: Renowned sculpto Ralph Baney dies in US at age 84

File: Ralph Baney

Renowned Trinidad and Tobago sculptor Ralph Baney died at his home in Maryland, U.S.A., on Tuesday. He was 84. 

Baney attended Naparima College and Naparima Teachers College (1951-53) and was awarded a Government Art Scholarship to study at Brighton College of Art (now Brighton University), in England where he earned the NDD and A.T.C. degrees (1957-1962). 

He served as an Art Officer in the Ministry of Education and Culture for nine years and then embarked on Graduate studies at the University of Maryland (1971-76) earning the MFA, & PhD degrees.

He has had 12 one-person shows including Georgetown University 1974 and a Retrospective at the National Museum in Trinidad, 2004. 

Baney participated in numerous group shows in the U.S, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, England, Japan and Jamaica and won prizes for his sculptures.

His honours include an Honorary Doctorate (DLitt) from the University of the West Indies in recognition of his lifetime achievements in sculpture (2004).

Baney was a member of the British Royal Society of Sculptors, Sculptors Guild N.Y, Washington Sculptors Group and Sculptors Inc. Baltimore. His works are in public and private collections throughout the world. 

Public collections include the National Museum in Trinidad and the Washington County Museum in Hagerstown.

Baney's wife, Vera, died about five years ago. She was an accomplished potter who received the Hummingbird national award for her work as well as an honorary doctorate.

The Baneys had one son, Clarence.