Skip to content
subscribe
Account
SEARCH

Categories

LASTEST

When the Stars Begin to Fall: Imagination and the American South

No contributor

Group shows based on the theme of “outsider art” are often tricky. Often, disparate artists are thrown together in a manner that does not seem cohesive, or they are so similarly grouped together as to not do justice to their individual technique. 

When the Stars Begin to Fall: Imagination and the American South,” is a rare exhibit that does not fall prey to either of these mistakes. Bound together by a social and racial “outsider” status, (African American artists reflecting on the site of the American South) the exhibition is unified by positionality rather than style. 

The Favorable Outcome of Every Navigation

The show brings together artists from multiple generations working in a variety of different media, many of whom are self-taught. Though diverse in their style and execution, a sense of balance emerges in the show. Benny Andrew’s sparse erotic ink drawings mirror the Courtesy the Artists’ inverted colored pencil drawings on paper. Frank Albert Jones and Henry Ray Clark, both of whom claimed to see spirits and otherworldly visions, produced colorful, prismatic drawings, while serving time in prison. Henry Speller’s raw erotic female portraits are juxtaposed with his wife, Georgia Speller’s, softer Matisse-esque paintings. 

Most compelling are some of the artists’ stories, such as James “Son” Thomas, a gravedigger, musician and artist. His clay skull sculptures are displayed in the exhibition, each a grotesque reminder of the finality of death (most likely inspired by his occupation). 

2014

Contemporary emerging artists such as Ralph Lemon, whose haunting narrative photographs of African-Americans clad in animal masks, offer a more sinister yet striking aesthetic in this exhibition. 

Also included are works by Kevin Beasley, McArthur Binion, Beverly Buchanan, Thornton Dial, Minnie Evans, Theaster Gates, Deborah Grant, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Bessie Harvey, David Hammons, Lonnie Holley, Lauren Kelley, Kerry James Marshall, Rodney McMillian, Joe Minter, J.B. Murray, John Outterbridge, Noah Purifoy, Marie “Big Mama” Roseman, Jacolby Satterwhite, Patricia Satterwhite, Rudy Shepherd, Xaviera Simmons, Stacy Lynn Waddell, Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems and Geo Wyeth.

Acrylic on wood

“When the Stars Begin to Fall: Imagination and the American South” closed at  the Studio Museum in Harlem on June 29. It will travel to the NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale from August 3 to October 12, 2014.

SAME AS TODAY

FURTHER READING

The View at The Palm Opens in Dubai with Human-Centric Purpose

Whitewall spoke with John Bricker of Gensler about The View at The Palm in Dubai.

Louis Fratino Finds Power in Images of What We Love

Louis Fratino spoke with Whitewall about keeping the studio a space free from fear of failure.

The BMW Neue Klasse Looks to an All-Electric Future

The BMW Neue Klasse is a statement piece for a new era: design language that references classic BMW for its soon-to-be all-electric lineup.

Theaster Gates Illuminates the Chicago Public Library

The Chicago Public Library presents a powerful public artwork by the American artist and University of Chicago professor Theaster Gates.

Courtney Willis Blair Lets Artists Lead at White Cube’s First New York Space

The New Senior Director curates the inaugural group show at the gallery’s Upper East Side locale and shapes the gallery's U.S. presence.

Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch Unveil the Eighth Edition of “Forms” in Miami

During Art Basel, Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch together unveil the eight annual group presentation of “Forms" in the Miami Design District.

SUBSCRIBE TO MAGAZINE

Kelly Wearstler

THE WINTER EXPERIENCE ISSUE
2023

Subscribe

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Go inside the worlds of Art, Fashion, Design and Lifestyle.

READ THIS NEXT

The Chicago Public Library presents a powerful public artwork by the American artist and University of Chicago professor Theaster Gates.
The New Senior Director curates the inaugural group show at the gallery’s Upper East Side locale and shapes the gallery's U.S. presence.
During Art Basel, Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch together unveil the eight annual group presentation of “Forms" in the Miami Design District.

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Go inside the worlds
of Art, Fashion, Design,
and Lifestyle.