Internationally Acclaimed Sculptor Thaddeus G. Mosley Jr. Dies at 99

Thaddeus G. Mosley Jr., an internationally acclaimed sculptor known for his monumental wood carvings, has died at the age of 99. His family announced that Mosley passed away on March 6, 2026, in Pittsburgh.

A self-taught artist and the son of a coal miner, Mosley rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential sculptors to emerge from the Appalachian region. His large-scale works, often carved from salvaged wood, inspired by jazz music and the natural world.

Throughout his career, Mosley received numerous honors recognizing his contributions to American art. In 2021, he received the Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The following year he was awarded the prestigious Isamu Noguchi Award, and the University of Pittsburgh granted him an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters.

Mosley’s sculptures are featured in museums and public collections across the United States, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, and the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. His work also appears in several public installations throughout the city.

In addition to his art career, Mosley spent nearly four decades working as a mail sorter for the United States Postal Service while continuing to create sculpture in his studio. He also dedicated years to teaching and mentoring artists through workshops and summer programs at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Pennsylvania.

Mosley served in the United States Navy during World War II before graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950.

Mosley is survived by his six children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held for the family, and plans for a public celebration of life are expected to be announced in the coming days.