The artist commissioned to craft the Monumental Tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll set to share his work prior to the unveiling of the Tina Turner statue in Brownsville’s Heritage Park
It’s not everyday that a city gets the chance to honor a hometown icon, yet for the city of Brownsville, Tennessee, they’re set to honor their hometown icon Tina Turner in an extra special way; with a seven foot, 9 inch tall statue of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll set to be unveiled on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Brownsville’s Heritage Park.
Fred Ajanogha, who works as Ajano Art, the world-renowned artist who was commissioned by the City of Brownsville to sculpt the statue, will be honored at a reception on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 5-7 pm where Ajano will give a short talk at the Brownsville Meeting Grounds (42 South Washington Ave) in downtown Brownsville, TN. Several of Ajano’s art pieces will be on display during this event and will remain until October 18, 2025 so the public can view some of the artist’s other works.
“I would like to give my profound gratitude to the Mayor and the community of Brownsville, Tennessee,” says Ajano. “Thank you so much for the opportunity to create a statue of ‘The Queen of Rock N’ Roll.’ There is only one Tina Turner. As a sculptor, it has been my dream to create a statue of a celebrity, especially someone as loved as Tina Turner. The 7 foot, 9 inch tall statue will be cast in bronze and mounted on a two foot tall base, making it the largest statue in my portfolio. I am truly honored and looking forward to the unveiling of this sculpture.”
The statue is a centerpiece of a broader vision to celebrate Tina Turner in her native Haywood County. Located in Brownsville, the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center also hosts the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School. The Museum — housed in the very one-room schoolhouse Turner attended through eighth grade — has drawn global fans since its opening in 2014.
Ajano recently made his first-ever visit to the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School as part of his visit to West Tennessee to see both the progress on the casting of the statue but also the progress of where it will be installed at Heritage Park in Brownsville. The installation will face Carver High School, where Tina Turner once attended and played basketball, creating a physical and symbolic link between the artist’s humble beginnings and her global impact.
“How exciting it was when Ajano visited the Tina Turner Museum for the first time.” Says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Director West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center and Tina Turner Museum. “You could tell he felt the power of her legacy and our community’s pride. The new statue will carry that spirit forward, giving fans another reason to visit Brownsville and connect with Tina’s story.”
