The art of Ellis Wilson / Albert F. Sperath ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Sperath, Albert F., 1944-

Wilson, Ellis, 1899-1977.

Murray State University.

University of Kentucky. Art Museum.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wilson, Ellis, 1899-1977--Exhibitions.

Wilson, Ellis.

Wilson, Ellis, 1899-1977.

African American painting--Exhibitions.

African American painting.

Genre:

Exhibition catalogs.

Physical Description:

79 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, [2000]

Summary:

One of Kentucky's most significant African American artists, Wilson graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923. He spent five more years in the city before moving to New York, where he lived for the rest of his life. Aside from his participation in the WPA's Federal Arts Project and a Guggenheim Fellowship, he was never able to support himself fully by painting. Yet his work has long been praised for its boldness and individuality.

Black workers were a favorite subject: field hands, factory workers, loggers, fishermen, and more. Of his 1940s series of black factory employees, Wilson stated, "That was the first time I had ever seen my people working in industry, so I painted them." Over time his documentary style gave way to one that empasized shape and color over pure representation. This catalog accompanies the first major retrospective of Wilson's paintings.

Contents:

Everything of Interest and Beauty / Margaret R. Vendryes 3

Ellis Wilson, a Native Son / Steven H. Jones, Eva F. King 13

Curator's Essay / Albert F. Sperath 23

Reproductions 25

Catalogue Raisonne 67.

Notes:

"Touring itinerary: Murray State University Clara M. Eagle Art Gallery, Murray, Kentucky, February 14-March 14, 2000, University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lexington, Kentucky, April 8-June 25, 2000."

Includes bibliographical references (page 77).

ISBN:

0813109809

OCLC:

42682681