John Raimondi (born May, 1948) is an American sculptor best known as a creator of monumental public sculpture, with works throughout the United States and several European countries. He lives and works in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Biography The first of four sons born to Erma and Peter Raimondi, John Raimondi was born in May 1948. John Raimondi spent his early years honing his skills while developing an eye for the beauty of nature that surrounded him. The young artist spent much of his time in the company of his family, though he also enjoyed the solitude of drawing and painting, as well as collecting coins and building model airplanes. In his formative years, Raimondi became fascinated by scale-model automobiles and airplanes, which later translated into full-size "hot rods" as he grew into a teenager. These hobbies proved invaluable in the artist's keen ability to comprehend scale and movement—two of the elements that are so essential in his work today. Originally intending to become a seascape painter, Raimondi first attended Vesper George School of Art and subsequently attended the Portland School of Fine and Applied Arts in Maine (now Maine College of Art). There he met teacher and sculptor Norman Therrien who encouraged Raimondi to try sculpture. Next, Raimondi attended the Massachusetts College of Art where he studied sculpture. He exhibited early works at Boston City Hall, Bridgewater State University, and numerous local galleries and museums. This led to Raimondi's first prominent commission, awarded to him in a national competition conducted by the I-80 Bicentennial Sculpture Project, in Nebraska. This sculpture, entitled Erma's Desire, is named for the artist's mother and her intense desire for the happiness of her children. Located in Grand Island, Nebraska, the work was considered controversial due to its suggestive title and abstract form. It was debated fiercely in several major publications and on the TV news program "60 Minutes," catapulting Raimondi into the national spotlight. Since then, Raimondi has completed more than 100 monumental sculptures for public, corporate, and private collections worldwide. He currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Art forgery suit Raimondi has sued billionaire Igor Olenicoff for art forgery. In a similar case, Olenicoff and his real estate company, Olen Properties Corp., were found guilty of copyright infringement by a federal jury in 2014 and ordered to pay $450,000 in damages to sculptor Don Wakefield, for art forgery. Raimondi had been contacted