{"id":7680,"date":"2020-07-04T16:36:48","date_gmt":"2020-07-04T16:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/media-archive.blackartinamerica.com\/?p=7680"},"modified":"2020-07-04T16:36:48","modified_gmt":"2020-07-04T16:36:48","slug":"preston-jackson-one-of-the-greatest-black-artists-of-our-time-by-debra-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earthexhibitions.org\/media-archive\/?p=7680","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPreston Jackson: One of the Greatest Black Artists of Our Time\u201d by Debra Hand"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPreston Jackson: One of the Greatest Black Artists of Our Time\u201d by Debra Hand<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"In a day when people of all races are grasping for ways to understand what it means to be Black in America, our artists are critically needed to illustrate narratives of not only Black pain — but also,\u00a0 Black triumph, tradition, culture, and beauty.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The artist Preston Jackson has long been at the forefront of this movement.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Through his paintings, sculptures, and\u00a0 intensely poignant written narratives,\u00a0 Jackson delineates\u00a0 critical moments in the nation\u2019s evolution.\u00a0 His sculptures eloquently bear witness to the worlds they have arrived here from, through Jackson\u2019s gifted mind and hands.\u00a0 He is a quintessential story teller, on par with the greatest literary minds.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preston Jackson is a master artist, even to the masters.\u00a0 His list of honors and awards are innumerable.\u00a0 But just to note a few off of the top, Preston Jackson holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Sculpture at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago.\u00a0 During his tenure there, he served as Sculpture Professor \/ Head of the Figurative Area, and Chair of the Sculpture Department.\u00a0 He is a 1998 Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois (the highest possible honor bestowed by the state on an individual); was named as a History Maker by the The HistoryMakers institution; was awarded the Rhodell Owens Award by Peoria City Beautiful; was selected in 2018 as one of the ten top Illinois Artists of all time; and his work hangs permanently at world-known locations such as McCormick Place West in Chicago.\u00a0 He was also an instructor of drawing and painting at Decatur\u2019s Millikin University prior to joining the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He is the owner of <\/span>Side View Gallery<\/i><\/b> at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preston Jackson is an extraordinary writer whose sculptural installations are amplified by powerful, first-person accounts of the lives of the sculptures themselves.\u00a0 The written narratives that accompany his works further transport his figures into actual being as they play out the sagas of their lives right before your eyes.\u00a0 They are so convincingly present in this realm of existence that\u00a0 Jackson\u2019s sculptural collection \u201cFresh from Julieanne\u2019s Garden\u201d led to him receiving a Regional Emmy for hosting the Television Show \u201cLegacy in Bronze \u2013 Fresh From Julieanne\u2019s Garden\u201d which featured and explored this amazing installation.\u00a0 If you have experienced this collection in person, it is quite easy to imagine that winning Emmys on their own is not beyond these virtual thespians of history.\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His dynamic sculptures seem to escape into our dimension, mid-action, from some magical time machine: They enter full-force with their dramatic stories playing-out right before our eyes.\u00a0 One piece snatches you into the terror and chaos of a hound dog chasing-down a runaway slave; while another piece takes you confidentially into the calculating thoughts and experiences of a woman living out the harsh realities of plantation life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackson\u2019s exhibits grip you with the power of a great novel or film; each sculpture, visually captivating on its own, but the stories he provides for them further lift them into actuality.\u00a0 He is highly acclaimed for the heart-moving dialogue that accompanies his pieces.\u00a0 As with all great stories, Jackson\u2019s characters pull the audiences into their worlds while simultaneously entering into our own. \u00a0 They activate empathy for the human plight through their lives, \u00a0 determination, endurance, and will.\u00a0 Their stories teach us all something about ourselves: namely that, it may be too late to root for their survival, but it is not too late to root for our own; to change ourselves in ways that will insure a just and civilized humanity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Jackson\u2019s sculpture installations, such as the powerful collection \u201cFresh from Julieanne\u2019s Garden,\u201d are known for their visceral effects on the audiences.\u00a0 They stun viewers with a one-two punch combination of superbly written stories and sculptural masterworks that continue to provoke thought long after the encounter with them is over.\u00a0 Here, as with every sculpture Jackson creates, we benefit from the deep-dive into research that brings this particular world alive through more than 100 bronze sculptures.\u00a0 These pieces were created by a process that guarantees each is one of a kind with no copies.\u00a0 <\/span>The method used to create this series begins with wax models that are sculpted rather than cast which means the models are literally destroyed by the bronze pour itself.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In discussing the series Jackson says, \u201cThe narratives which accompany each piece are my interpretations of historical texts I have read in my research of the lives and personalities <\/span>of our ancestors who lived in the Southern United States in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century.\u00a0 The stories, which are an integral part of the sculptures, are reflected in the lives of those who moved North through the Underground Railroad or as a part of the Great Migration.\u00a0 Despite the hardships of those who had been enslaved or viewed as less than human, the pieces do not reflect bitterness or hostility, but rather an admiration for the resolution and resiliency of each individual.\u00a0 I admire their strengths in the face of a hostile world.\u00a0 Many of the pieces are of women and children\u2014in part because much of the personal history of the times was written by women, and in part because I sense their vulnerability\u2014I hear their unspoken fears.\u00a0 I see my grandmothers, my aunts, my sisters in their faces.\u00a0 My wife and my daughters speak from their mouths. The sculptures seem to come alive to tell me their stories and their dreams.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"It is clear that Jackson serves caringly as an open channel through which these protagonists enter our world and challenge us to become better as a society.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another well-known Preston Jackson installation is his \u201cBronzeville to Harlem: An American Story\u201d exhibit.\u00a0 The sculpture installation consists of hundreds of figurative sculptures, relief sculptures, buildings, and realistic scaled-down automobiles \u2013 all of which took more than two decades to create.\u00a0 Jackson notes that, \u201cthe Harlem Renaissance was an ultimate period of cultural growth for African Americans.\u00a0 This period of creativity and intellectualism occurred through the 1920\u2019s and 1930\u2019s, and its effects were felt well into the \u201840\u2019s and \u201850\u2019s.\u00a0 This movement took place throughout the U.S., in small towns as well as large cities, but its origins were in Harlem in New York and specifically with respect to music, began in the Bronzeville area of Chicago.\u00a0 The sculpture is an epochal reminder of neighborhood morals and ethnic greatness through the arts, which teach that all groups have made contributions to American culture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Preston Jackson is a highly sought after public sculptor with an impressive list of public art commissions include works honoring historic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable; and many icons such as Miles Davis, Ernie Banks, Richard Pryor, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.\u00a0 Jackson has also been commissioned to create numerous public monuments to either commemorate or memorialize significant moments in American history.\u00a0 Among these works is \u201cActs of Intolerance,” a piece created to memorialize the \u201cSpringfield Race Riots,\u201d and \u201cKnocking on Freedom\u2019s Door,\u201d a 25 foot bronze monument commemorating the Pettengill home in Peoria, a historic station along the Underground Railroad.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preston Jackson\u2019s work is cleverly nuanced with both overt and covert messages that tell America\u2019s full story including the hypocrisy of the founding principles upon which it still exists: being founded on the one hand upon the ideology of independence and freedom \u2013 while on the other hand being built upon an economic and concrete infrastructure that rested on the backs of the slaves whose independence they brutally stole in order to get free labor.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Preston Jackson\u2019s work not only explores this\u00a0 horrific practice, but it also traces and reveals the ramifications \u2013 the social, emotional, and systemic complexities —\u00a0 that still endure to this present day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exquisitely rendered, even when infused with historic pain, Preston Jackson\u2019s sculptures feature a cross-pollination of high-stakes emotion, historic narratives, and compelling first-person narratives all whirled together in a glaring illumination of America\u2019s hard truths.\u00a0 Collectively his works provide the only realistic ground-rules for any possible evenhanded discussion of America\u2019s systemic racial disparities and injustices.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For anyone that is sincerely seeking to better understand the experience of being Black in America, Preston Jackson is definitely one of the foremost voices in the world today.\u00a0 In Jackson\u2019s own words, \u201cMy work reflects anthropological digs from the African American graveyards to the European architectural craftsmanship seen in cities\u2026There are signs and clues that we are a one-world American society and all must be acknowledged as contributors.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Preston Jackson\u2019s art speaks visually with the same social-political mastery as the mighty pen of the great James Baldwin.\u00a0 Jackson says, \u201cI feel it is the role of the artist to tell difficult truths to aid in achieving the betterment of society.\u201d\u00a0 The painting \u201c<\/span>Legacy\u201d <\/i><\/b>is a contemporary look at our history, including some events that are little known or not taught in our schools.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Truly, Jackson\u2019s works-of-art also double as a works-of-history that have been left maximally clear.\u00a0 In my opinion, there is not one major museum in this nation that should be leading discussions of race, art, and diversity without the work of Preston Jackson being present to inform those discussions.\u00a0 That\u2019s how relevant his body of work is, especially in today\u2019s social climate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His work has not only provided critical insight regarding history, but also informs on the subject-matter of being Black in America; and it continues to offer clarity to those sincerely interested in trying to repair the damage of the past and to truly do the work needed to heal this nation going forward. It\u2019s all right there\u2026in bronze, or black & white, or and technicolor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Fortunately the world has finally caught up to the kind of discourse that Jackson has been leading throughout his entire artistic career.\u00a0 Jackson confronts the truth boldly and directly, leaving history no place to hide from itself.\u00a0 Even when he incorporates symbolism in his works, history is not allowed to cower in the shadows of translation.\u00a0 He intends his work to speak vividly, just as the reality of those moments did.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preston Jackson\u2019s work is powerful, relevant, and to the point.\u00a0 He is the quintessential artist of our time.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From paintings to tabletop sculptures to his monumental works, Preston Jackson is a true renaissance man; one who, like every other great artist in history, uses art to explore and illuminate our potential (from the lowest level to the highest) as a human group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the many fortunate collectors who already own Preston Jackson masterpieces, they undoubtedly know that they are in possession of American artifacts as telling as rock strata and dinosaur bones.\u00a0 For those collectors who don\u2019t own his works, you might want to consider beating a path to his door.\u00a0 He is the real deal.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As always, we appreciate your thoughts.\u00a0 Please add them to the comment section below where you will also find a link to share this article.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Browse and shop for fine art from our growing network of artists, collectors, estates, galleries — specializing in works by Black American artists with great values on premier art.<\/p><\/div>\n

START COLLECTING ART<\/span><\/h1>\n

Sign up for our\u00a0free\u00a0email course<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on how to begin your collection.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Paul Laurence Dunbar by Debra Hand<\/p><\/div>\n

Debra Hand is a museum-collected sculptor, painter, and writer.\u00a0 She is the creator of the historic bronze statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dunbar Park.\u00a0 Among the history makers who own her works are former President Barack Obama; Hillary Clinton; Harry Belafonte; Cicely Tyson; Smokey Robinson; Yo-Yo Ma;\u00a0 Spike Lee; Seal; Sinbad; and the renowned sculptor, Richard Hunt; the late Winnie Mandela, and the late Dr. Maya Angelou also owned her work. Debra Hand holds a Master of Science Degree from the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University.\u00a0 She is a self-taught artist whose talent was discovered by the legendary Dr. Margaret Burroughs, principal founder of the DuSable Museum. It was Burroughs who arranged for Hand\u2019s first public exhibit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Would you buy stock in BAIA if you could? Well we invite you to join us in becoming a monthly supporter, starting at just $3 a month\u00a0YOU<\/b>\u00a0become a stakeholder and begin to help us transform lives through art. We are growing the BAIA team and will use your contributions to hire more team members for the purpose of creating more educational and marketing resources for schools and universities about african american artists both past and present.
\n\u200b
\nReview our list of rewards for becoming a BAIA\u00a0Patreon<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\/ patron supporter. Your monthly contribution has lasting benefits. \u2014 \u201cWhat will your legacy be\u201d \u2013 Dr. Margaret Burroughs<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you new and recurring monthly Patrons<\/h1>\n

Deloris and Eddie Young<\/strong>,\u00a0Esther Silver-Parker<\/strong>,\u00a0Eugene Foney<\/strong>,\u00a0Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art<\/strong>,\u00a0National Black Arts Festival, Dr. Leslie Fields, Jim Nixon, Dr. Michael Butler,<\/strong>\u00a0Matthew Putman,\u00a0Grant Hill<\/strong>,\u00a0Frank Frazier<\/strong>,\u00a0Houston Museum of African American Culture<\/strong>,\u00a0Joan Crisler<\/strong>, Dee Greer, March on Washington Film Festival, Danny Jenkins,\u00a0Deborah L. McCullough<\/strong>, Ashlee Jacob, John and Melanie Guess, Tricia Konan, Michael Brinson,\u00a0Dr. A. Holloway<\/strong>, Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Jeanette D Adeshote,\u00a0 Ja-Na Bordes, Rev. Anita Marshall, Tricia Konan,\u00a0Robin King<\/strong>, Kerri L. Forrest, Nan, Thomas E. Rodgers, D. Lacy, Jeffery Washington, Brenda Larnell, Helen Oyekan, Jeffery Washington, Letashia Mosbey, Marian Darlington, Roslyn Valentine, Vyonne Diva, Ednarina Blake, Devera Redmond,\u00a0Reginald Browne<\/strong>, Carla West, Beatrice, Longshore, Abimbola Thompson, Barbara Johnson, Beverly C Smith, Deborah R. Moore, Dr. Skyller Walkes, Ednarina BLAKE, Garr Parks, Gerald Carrington, Jae M, James B Wingo, Jocelyne Lamour, Kevin Smokler, Marion Zweig, Mary Ali-Masai, Michael J. Todd, Nan, Reg Pugh, Shannon DeVaney, Thomas E. Rogers, Tonya Pendleton, D Lacy, Noreen Winningham, Mason Archie, Jill Scott, Cari Jackson Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Rachel Corbray, Cecilia Winters-Morris, Christ Van Loan Sr., Romaine Roberts, Michael Jacobs, K.L. Martin, Gale Ross, Manuelita Brown, Annette, Jamal Love, Glenn Isaac Sr, M. Rasheed, Angela Williams, Dana Todd Pope, Terese L Hawkins, Mark Everett Sanders, Kirby L. Coleman, Harold Moore, Fredric Isler, Dr. R. Locke, Queen Brooks, Charles Bibbs, Diana Shannon Young, Dr. Yonette Thomas, M Belinda Tucker, Karen Y House, Runez M Bender, Duke Windsor, Cheryl Odeleye, Stephen Bennett, Shawn Rhea, Ethnie Weekes, Paul Robinson, Janice Orr, Patricia D Dungy, Jocelyn Benita Smith, Joan L. Ward, Garr Parks, Pamela Carter, Carlton Cotton, Diane R Miles, Jean Ann Durades, Luthetis Carey, Susan Ross, Harry F Banks, Shelia McNair, Lorna Conley, Shelley Byrd, DeLores M Dyer, Stefanie Fe Steele, Marjorie Hammock, Celestine Hinnant, ALKEBU LAN IMAGES Bookstore, Deborah Paige-Jackson, Desiree Dansan, Karen Pinzolo, Sonia Spencer, James Whitten, Shelley Danzy, Linda Eaddy, Wilhelmina Barker, Dorothy Massey, Annie Cheffers, Maddy Markland, Kaileigh Nelson, Kellyn Maguire, Cory Huff, keishua, Megan LaCroix, Sara Friesen, Desir\u00e9e Stroud, Madison Taylor, Nina Marie, Mina Silva, Whitney, Toni Wendel, S F, Claire Sig, Isabel Engel, Sarah Drury, Elizabeth DeBunce, Hannah Diener, Diane Hughes, Petrina Burkard, Laura Di Piazza, Lisa Dunford Dickman, Jocelyn Greene, Cheryl B Blankman, Nicole Farley, Mitchell Shohet, Samiur Rashid, Sarah Rooney, Marina Kovic, Lloyd Goode, Sara, Pearlie Taylor, Lorna Doone, Ashley Littlefield, Monika Pi, Alison Deas, Carla Sonheim, Nicole Bruce, Brenda Keith, Louise berner-holmberg, Tellis, Pamela Hart, Kim Walker, Jessica Beckstrom, Franklin Jackson, Christina Levine, Curtis Morrow, jacki rust, Sarah Caputo, Freda Davis, cdixon06, Hollis Turner, \u00a0Laura Pereira, Danni Cerezo<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>