As recounted by James “Big Red” Mourans,
It was during the mid 1990s as a guest of Gene Kilroy I met with Muhammad Ali at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. After an evening of conversation with the Champ, I ask him for some autographs. Ali signed some gloves for my son (which I still have). Before leaving, Ali said, “Big Red”, wait a minute. I want to do something special for you.” Ali then proceeded to remove 5 magic markers from a case, brown, black, dark & light blue, and yellow. On the back of a nearby sign, Ali went to work.
Big Red ask, “What are you doing?”
“SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH”, replied Ali.
As Ali began to draw what would become mountains, Big Red again asked, “What are those?”
The Champ said, “SSSSSSSSSSHHH”, never disturb an artist at work!”
“What are those?”, Big Red again questioned.
“Those are people”, Ali proudly proclaimed.
Big Red realized Ali was creating art and guessed “Those are Birds”.
“SSSSSHHHHHHHHHH, those are planes” Ali corrected Big Red. “I am drawing the Americans dropping bombs on the Afghan People.
Once complete, Ali signed the piece on the reverse, “To Big Red, From Muhammad Ali with the date”. For display purposes, the conservation company Poster Mountain removed the autograph from the back and added to the front.
The plight of the Afghan people were important to Muhammad Ali and he visited the country many times providing foreign aid and bringing attention to the war on his Muslim brothers. In 1998, Ali was designated as a United Nations messenger for his work in the country.
The piece measures 13”x17” and was completed on a piece of foam poster board. The Bombing of the Afghan people in Ali’s own hand depict the sun, clouds, planes, bombs, people and the mountains. A very personal piece with subject matter important to Ali. Complete letter from PSA/DNA.
(95U0374)
