Boston: Kahlil Gibran, a sculptor and painter who wrote a biography of his famous poet cousin of the same name, has died. He was 85.

Gibran died Sunday of heart failure, according to his wife, Jean English Gibran.

Gibran lived most of his life in Boston's South End, one of several city neighbourhoods where his sculptures stand. A tripod he designed is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Gibran began his career as a painter but became a sculptor in the 1950s, saying painting "didn't demand enough of me."

The switch to sculpting was followed by several honours, including the George Widener Medal, two Guggenheim Fellowships, a fellowship and award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the gold medal in an international exhibit in Trieste, Italy.

With his wife, Gibran also wrote a biography of his famous poet cousin, for whom he was named. The elder Gibran, who was born in what is now Lebanon and died in 1931, wrote "The Prophet" which has sold millions.

Jean English Gibran said she and her husband worked for years to produce the 1974 book, "Kahlil Gibran, His Life and World".
Source : PTI