Ebony Broadsides, Celebration of the Masters

April 17 – May 31, 2019

Exhibition Times: Tuesday to Saturday from 11am – 5pm

Ward Room House, 249 NW 9th St, Miami, FL 33136

Opening reception: April 17, 6-8pm

Hampton Art Lovers Presents: “Ebony Broadsides, Celebration of the Masters”, a fine art poster exhibit

featuring original signed exhibition posters from great African American artists. This show includes:

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Elizabeth Catlett

Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden

Faith Ringgold Samella Lewis

Betye Saar, Barkley Hendricks

John Biggers, James Denmark

Lois Mailou Jones, Basil Watson

Gordon Parks, Ernie Barnes

Roy DeCarava, AC Hollingsworth

Oliver Johnson, Ed Clark

 

Originally advertisements, the posters incorporate an artistsʼ image, painting, or design with exhibition dates, and location information promoting the art works, the artist and the gallery or museum. Produced by renowned institutions often in close collaboration with exhibiting artists, they were executed by well-established printers and published in limited editions. The poster itself becomes an original artwork and design, and the value increases when signed by the artists.

Ebony Broadsides, Celebration of the Masters focuses on some artists of the “New Negro” movement. Jacob Lawrence, Lois Mailou Jones and Romare Bearden were among the artists who in the 1930s and 1940s responded to Alain Locke’s call for an art of the “New Negro.” This work explored the social and narrative aspects of African or African American sources. Contemporary artists̶ from Betye Saar and Faith Ringgold to Basquiat̶drew inspiration from the biographies of their family members and rituals of Black culture. Portraits and documentary images have dominated the subject matter of modern Black photographers who have chosen the people and environment of their own neighborhoods as their subjects. Photographers like Roy DeCarava and Gordon Parks sought out communities or traditions of African American society.

For the novice in Black art, Ebony Broadsides is a great introduction to the masters, and seeks to reintroduce the genius of the artists through a more familiar medium. Posters are part of everyday life and more likely to be displayed in homes or work spaces than formal works of art. Before the proliferation of television and film, the poster held the most political power of all visual media. It was simple to produce, able to be displayed anywhere the public could view it, and had an immediate and intimate influence on audiences. In the 16th century, posters, then known as “broadsides” (also a naval term for cannon-fire launched from one side of a ship) were placed on walls and used to issue governmental notifications and commercial announcements. They could also be a political statement or opinion posted in the village square or distributed by hand.

The 2nd floor of the exhibition will showcase the influence poster art has had on hip hop, politics and pop culture. There will be work from photographer Phillip Shung, as well as Marvin Weeks and Alonzo Adams for sale.

 

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Sponsors: Overtown/Park West CRA, Work of Art Gallery & Framing and All Art Framing. Sponsorship Opportunities: HAL welcomes strategic partnerships, please contact us at: XXXXXXXX All artwork is courtesy of The Norwood Collection.

Hampton Art Lovers We inspire the appreciation of African-American Fine Art. We honor the heart and soul of Fine Artists and make their work discoverable by anyone who loves art. Hampton Art Lovers believes that the understanding of culture, whether our own or others is becoming increasingly valuable. We live in a knowledge economy where rapid demonetization, in which technology is rendering previously expensive products and services much cheaper-or even free. Learning hard is the knowledge economy currency. Hampton Art Lovers believe that through culture and education we can improve our communities and the world. Historic Ward Rooming House

The Historic Ward Rooming House was built in 1925 by Shaddrack and Victoria Ward. It served as a home for both blacks and Native Americans who needed a safe place to sleep at night. It was designated a historic site by the City of Miami in 2006 and fully restored in 2010. It now serves as a gallery and event space. Built in the era of Overtown’s historic heyday, when it was known as “Colored Town,” the Ward Rooming House stands as a tribute to the history of the oldest historic black community in the City of Miami. As one of the few remaining buildings of its time, a seemingly ordinary rooming house becomes significant for the larger role it serves in preserving the history and architecture of Miami’s Black community. Social Media and Web www.hamptonartlovers.com Instagram: @hamptonartlovers Facebook: www.facebook.com/hamptonartlovers/ For more information: Christopher Norwood, (786) 529-8624 or email hamptonartlovers@gmail.com.