Friday, May 23, 2008
By ELISE FRANCO
Ray Simon’s new painting is called ‘Forged in Fire, Iron and Steel.’
YOUNGSTOWN— Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik is taking up permanent residence at a museum, and everyone is invited to the housewarming party.
The Butler Institute of American Art is unveiling an original painting of Pavlik by local artist Ray Simon. The painting, titled “Forged in Fire, Iron and Steel,” combines the Jeannette Blast Furnace of Youngstown Sheet and Tube with Pavlik, middleweight boxing champion of the world, to represent the spirit and force of the Valley.
Beneath the title, the painting reads, “Borne from the archives of history, a ghost from the past, out of an industrial giant great fighters amass. Now a champion of the people stands a victor ringside, a national hero bearing honor and pride.”
“I love the way [Simon] has tied Kelly’s strength, tenacity and will to win to the Valley and to our steelmaking past,” said Dr. Lou Zona, director of the Butler. “We like the world to know that we’ve had a great past, and I think this says something about the future as well.”
Zona, who will be present at the unveiling along with Simon and Pavlik, said he is proud to have Simon’s work hang in the museum.
“He’s a wonderful talent, and I think he’s not only very skillful but very creative as well,” he said. “He certainly is proud of Youngstown, and this particular work honoring Kelly and our industrial past speaks sections for this area.”
Simon said his inspiration for the painting came after Pavlik was knocked down in an early round of his first fight against Jermain Taylor.
“I wanted to do something that really captured the heart and might of Kelly, but also something that is so symbolic of our Valley, because in a sense our Valley has always been a champion,” he said. “We may be down now, but the people in this town are strong because of it, and like Pavlik, we are fighting our way back up.”
The public unveiling will take place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the main atrium of the Butler.
efranco@vindy.com