ARETHA FRANKLIN
- The Concrete Rose Project
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
Artistic Statement:
“The Queen’s Command” captures Aretha Franklin not simply as a singer, but as a sovereign force in music, justice, and cultural identity. Sculpted in three dimensions against a stark all-black canvas, her face, arm, and microphone project outward—reaching beyond the frame, as she did beyond her era, to grip the soul of every viewer and listener.
The all-black background serves a deliberate dual purpose. First, it honors the lineage of Black musical genius, positioning Aretha as a radiant presence emerging from a legacy too often shrouded in silence. Second, it forces the eye—there is nowhere to look but at her, glowing, alive, and forever mid-command. Her expression is electric, her mouth open mid-note or mid-demand, depending on whether you hear the gospel or the protest in her voice.
Her blue-stone jewelry—not painted but affixed—shimmers like the crown jewels of a self-made empress. The earring design elongates her regal stature, while the matching bracelet accents her forward-reaching gesture: she is not asking for attention; she is directing it.
Her pointed finger and lifted microphone create a powerful diagonal force line. She is not only performing—she is testifying, and like the great preachers of Detroit she grew up listening to, she is commanding the spirit to move. It is this motion—this sculpted motion—that gives the work its immortality.
Historical Significance:
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, transcended genre, race, and nationality. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit’s gospel circuit, her voice became the sound of America’s conscience. With classics like “Respect,” “A Natural Woman,” and “Think,” she gave voice to Black women’s power during the civil rights movement and beyond.
But Aretha was more than a singer. She was an activist, feminist, and the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She sang at three presidential inaugurations—from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama—each time bringing an unshakable spiritual authority to the moment.
This sculpture honors that authority. It is not Aretha Franklin the celebrity—it is Aretha Franklin the oracle. The pose evokes a moment in performance, yes, but it is also reminiscent of a general issuing orders or a mother instructing her family: clear, commanding, uncompromising.
The medium itself—sculpture on canvas—bridges the eternal with the ephemeral. Just as Aretha’s songs live on beyond her, so too does this portrait, unconfined by traditional paint and bound instead to memory, motion, and divine vibration.
With Deep Gratitude to Herb Hudson and Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Herb Hudson, founder of the legendary Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles, for his generous collaboration and trust in The Concrete Rose Project.
The unveiling of the Anaheim mural stands as more than just a celebration of art—it’s a testament to Roscoe’s cultural legacy and the visionary leadership behind it. This mural, rooted in heritage, flavor, and community spirit, symbolizes what’s possible when entrepreneurship and the arts come together with purpose.
We are profoundly honored to have been chosen to bring this story to life through public art. Your support has elevated our mission and allowed us to plant deeper roots in the communities we serve.
As we continue to build a movement that honors untold stories and transforms spaces, we look forward to exploring more meaningful ways to partner with Roscoe’s and celebrate the impact of your iconic brand.
With appreciation,The Concrete Rose Project Inc.
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