The artist who sculpted Ted Williams’ fictional death mask acknowledged Friday he never received assistance from the Scottsdale business where the baseball great’s head is preserved in deep freeze.
Yet Daniel Edwards believes his sculpture has succeeded because people suspected Alcor Life Extension Foundation contributed to his upcoming exhibit.
"If the work didn’t create any plausibility, (Alcor) wouldn’t have had to respond to it," Edwards said. "The fact they immediately did, that was a compliment."
The death mask, portraying Williams in a state best described as weary agony, is the highlight of Edwards’ exhibit. "The Ben Affleck 2004 World Series Collection" opens Sept. 6 at New York’s First Street Gallery.
After Williams’ death in July 2002, his body was transported from Florida to Alcor, where his head was removed for cryogenic storage.
It was a controversial end to the Hall of Famer’s life, with his children squabbling over his remains.
Edwards, who described himself as a huge baseball fan, said he remains haunted by the thought of Alcor removing Williams’ head. That image prompted him to portray Williams in such a "ghastly" light.
"It was definitely going to look as unalive as it could," Edwards said.
Alcor released a statement Friday reiterating the company had nothing to do with Edwards’ art.
"It is a travesty that some people feel the need to exploit Ted Williams and his family for monetary gain," Alcor CEO and president Joe Waynick said.
