pop artist dies at 74 Legacy.com
Cynthia Albritton was a pop artist known as Cynthia Plaster Caster for her casts of rock stars’ penises.
Legendary groupie
Albritton was a young art student at the University of Illinois Chicago when she got the idea for her lifelong art project. Her teacher assigned a plaster casting project, and she had already been dreaming of ways to meet rock musicians – and, she hoped, lose her virginity to one. She practiced her concept on a couple of her friends, then made her way back stage at a Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) concert. Hendrix agreed to be her first celebrity client, later followed by artists including Wayne Kramer of MC5, Zal Yanovsky (1944–2002) of the Lovin’ Spoonful, and Tony Stevens of Foghat. Frank Zappa (1940–1993) took an interest in Albritton’s work and helped her move from Chicago to Los Angeles, where she became one of the legendary groupies of the late 1960s. Albritton took a break from casting after 1971, later returning to cast the penises of artists such as Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys and Richard Lloyd of Television. In later years, she added filmmakers and other artists to her repertoire, and she began casting the breasts of women artists, including Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, in the interest of equality. Albritton’s work was immortalized in songs including “Plaster Caster” by KISS and “Five Short Minutes” by Jim Croce.
Albritton on attempting to work with the Monkees
“I tried to cast Peter [Tork] during the time I had discovered dental mold and I didn’t know how to use it. Just as I was opening the can – it was like an old-fashioned Planters’ Peanut type can – I cut my finger on the edge and cut it so bad it wouldn’t stop bleeding and Mickey Dolenz had to tourniquet my middle finger. I should probably have gone to the hospital, but it all went well with the finger. No cast of Peter, though.” —source
Tributes to Cynthia Albritton
Deeply saddened to report the passing of Cynthia Albritton (a.k.a., Cynthia Plaster Caster) today. Cynthia was infamously known for making plaster casts of male rock stars’ penises in the 1960s and ’70s, and very nearly casted Peter Tork, until Fate intervened. More below: pic.twitter.com/qwqJDO8ls1
— Naked Persimmon (@NakedPersimmon) April 21, 2022
I’m sad to hear that Cynthia (Plaster Caster) Albritton has passed away. I first met her through a mutual friend about 25 years ago and then always added her to my guest list whenever Dave Davies played Chicago. She was (obviously) a fun person who will be missed. pic.twitter.com/YerMX9Ucqb
— Jonathan Lea (@JonathanLea14) April 21, 2022
Cynthia Albritton was one of those people that loomed so large as an icon, that when I finally got to meet her, I was amazed at how real she was.
A sweet woman who loved music art, & her friends passionately, and who will always loom large to me.
Rest well, Ms. Plaster Caster.
— Jill Hopkins (@Jillhopkins) April 21, 2022
✝️ Cynthia ALBRITTON, “Cynthia Plaster Caster”
? 24 May 1947 – 21 Apr. 2022
? ??
? Visual artist
☠️ –
Albritton began her career in 1968 by casting penises of rock musicians. She later expanded her subjects to include filmmakers and other types of artists. pic.twitter.com/y1PZTGxBs5
— In__Memoriam (@In___Memoriam) April 23, 2022
One of the sweetest, funniest, coolest people I’ve ever met. She once got me plate after plate of tater tots at Skylark because I was so excited they were on the menu. We couldn’t stop laughing. Every time I finished a plate, she’d order me another. ?? https://t.co/rUeziZUOcH
— ShesAllWrite (@ShesAllWrite) April 22, 2022
Full obituary: The Chicago Sun-Times
ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue86boK2tkafGcLzOqWSaqqSewLV5w6KcrGWRqXp4gIylnKCZk656pLvMaA%3D%3D