A 10-foot bronze Tina Turner statue now stands in Brownsville, Tennessee.
On September 27, 2025, Brownsville, Tennessee, unveiled a sweeping tribute to one of its most illustrious daughters. A 10-foot bronze statue of Tina Turner was unveiled at Heritage Park, standing just across the street from Carver High School, the very school she once attended.
This unveiling, part of the city’s annual Tina Turner Heritage Days, marks more than a celebration of musical legend; it anchors her global legacy firmly in the soil where her story began.
The statue is the work of Atlanta-based sculptor Fred Ajanogha (also known as Ajano). The artist says his goal was to capture not just her likeness, but the essence of Tina Turner on stage:
- The fluidity of her movement, the way she seemed to dance even while standing.
- Her iconic way of handling the microphone — particularly how she sometimes extended an index finger while gripping it.
- Her signature hair, which the artist compared to a “lion’s mane,” meant to evoke strength, wildness, and power
Ajanogha first sculpted in clay in Atlanta, then had the piece cast in bronze at a foundry in West Tennessee. The finished work stands approximately 7 ft 9 in tall, mounted on a 2-foot base, bringing its total height to around 10 feet.
While the artist has shared these guiding principles and inspirations, it remains unclear whether a single photograph or reference image was handed to him as a blueprint. No public source has confirmed that a specific “reference photo” was provided.
This project was not just an artistic undertaking; it’s a community statement. Around 50 donors contributed, including a $150,000 donation from Ford Motor Company as part of its “Good Neighbor” initiative for West Tennessee.
The statue’s placement is deeply symbolic: it faces the high school where Tina once walked, played basketball, and carried dreams of a life far beyond rural Tennessee. Nearby stands the Tina Turner Museum, housed in the old Flagg Grove School building, where she studied as a child in Nutbush.
Mayor William Rawls and local leaders have expressed hope that the statue and its surrounding plaza will be a gathering space for reflection, celebration, and education, a physical reminder that greatness can emerge from even modest beginnings.
As with many public monuments, reactions have been mixed. While many in Brownsville gathered with pride, some online commenters have critiqued elements of the sculpture’s likeness and styling choices.
Almost immediately after the unveiling, critics and fans on social media voiced disappointment over what they saw as a missed opportunity to honor Tina Turner’s legacy in bronze. Many argued that the statue’s facial features lack strong resemblance to Turner, and some felt that the proportions, particularly of her legs, torso, and hair, look awkward or unbalanced. One commenter wrote, “Love Tina Turner, but this is not her,” while another asked, “Where are those amazing legs and calves? I don’t think this does her justice.”
Beyond the exact likeness, detractors also questioned the artistic decisions behind the statue. Some felt the exaggerated hairstyle looked more caricature than homage, and others criticized the overall pose as static or lacking the energy she was known for on stage. The backlash reflects a deeper tension around memorial sculpture, how to balance symbolic gesture with faithful depiction, and in this case, many believe the result fell short.
Still, the statue stands as a testament to her lasting influence and as a point of pride for her community.
In reflecting on the work, the artist and local organizers emphasize that this is more than a memorial — it’s a story in bronze, telling of perseverance, identity, and transformation. It is a moment when art, memory, and heritage converge. The bronze echo of Tina Turner’s voice now stands in her hometown, inviting new generations to remember, celebrate, and interpret her journey.
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