Project Overview

The Funky Chicken | Danny Thomas Westbound Trolley Station

“DeForest’s artwork for this station honors the musical legacy of the late local R&B artist, Rufus Thomas Jr.”

Memphis artist Carol DeForest was commissioned to create the artwork for the Danny Thomas Westbound Trolley Station, which is a part of MATA's Madison Avenue Trolley line. DeForest's artwork for this station honors the musical legacy of the late local R&B artist, Rufus Thomas Jr., and is appropriately titled The Funky Chicken. On the floor of the station, DeForest created stone mosaics that depict Rufus Thomas and a line of chickens, all doing the dance from Thomas' popular song, "Do the Funky Chicken." There are also two steel chicken sculptures installed on the roof of the station.

About the Artist

Carol DeForest

Deforest was born in Tennessee, but she spent the first part of her life in Texas, where she was greatly influenced by Latinx culture. She moved back to Tennessee to attend Rhodes College, receiving a BFA in art. She also attended Memphis College of Art where she earned a BFA in clay. She has been a working artist for almost 40 years in Memphis, TN. 

During her career as an artist, Carol DeForest has completed several works of public art with the UrbanArt Commission. DeForest frequently utilizes found objects and natural materials in her work to create abstract images that reference nature.  DeForest currently lives and works in Memphis.