PROCESSION: THE ART OF NORMAN LEWIS

Living in a major city like Chicago I try to take advantage of every opportunity presented to see an exhibition of art that I find interesting. When I saw an advertisement of a free exhibition of the work of artist Norman Lewis at the Chicago Cultural Center, I knew I wanted to see it for two reasons: the artwork itself, and the fact I had never been inside the Cultural Center, a 1897 building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Norman Lewis was a pivotal figure in American Art, and he was one of the innovators of the post-World War II art movement known as Abstract Expressionism. Unfortunately because he was African-American, racism prevented this talented artist from attaining the notoriety he so obviously deserved.

In his early work during the 1930s and 1940s, Lewis' work focused on what he saw in the area of Harlem where he grew up and lived.

The Wanderer (Johnny) 1933

   

 


The Dispossessed (Family) 1934

Meeting Place (aka Shopping) 1941

Hep Cats (1943): Lewis himself was a dapper dresser.

Composition I (1945): This painting was Lewis' first foray into the abstract style of painting. Although these rectangular shapes could depict an urban city such as New York City, this painting showed the painter's departure from his usual subjects of life and people living in Harlem.  He was criticized for this change in painting style.

Jazz Club (1945)

 
Fives Phases (1949)

Roller Coaster (1946)

Spring (1947)

Untitled (1949) 

Migrating Birds (1953)
Redneck Birth (1961)

Ritual (1962)
Journey (1965)

March on Washington (1965)

Exodus (1972)

Aurora Borealis (1972-1976)

Untitled (1978)

This exhibition was a real treat. I love discovering new artists and learning the struggles they incurred to have their art appreciated. I love the brilliant color Norman Lewis used in his paintings. Although his later, abstract paintings are spectacular, I like his earlier works, showing the people he encountered and their lives in 1930s and 1940s Harlem more.

This exhibition is on display at the Chicago Cultural Center until January 8, 2017. Admission is FREE. For more information click here.


Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me at this exhibition in October, 2016. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK VISIT

At the end of my last post we were just finishing up our delicious breakfast at Waffle House. This meal gave us the nourishment to begin our walk back towards the Georgia Aquarium, made longer due to the fact we ended up at a different Waffle House than intended. But we persevered through the ever-increasing heat of that August morning. During our walk, we were pleased to discover we could walk through Centennial Olympic Park on our way to the aquarium.

Walking through the park now it's hard to imagine it was built on vacant land that had several abandoned and rundown buildings on it. The park was the main gathering site for both athletes and spectators during the 1996 Olympics; now it is a lasting legacy as a popular gathering place for both the citizens of Atlanta and thousands of visitors to Atlanta. Many of the sites surrounding the park were built after the Olympics Games, including the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Center for Human and Civic Rights, Imagine It! Children's Museum and a ferris wheel, Skyview Atlanta. Many new hotels and restaurants were built to accommodate all of the visitors coming to see the new sites. 

To help pay for the cost of building the park (completely paid for by private donations), an Adopt-a-Brick program was launched. For $35, anyone could purchase commemorative bricks and personalize them. Over 500,000 bricks were purchased. To coincide with the park's 20th anniversary a new Adopt-a-Brick campaign to install another 40,000+ personalized bricks has been started. If you are interested in purchasing a personalized brick, click here.

To help donors find their bricks, the sections are numbered...

When you enter the park the first thing you see is the bronze, fan-shaped sculpture titled appropriately Tribute, by Greek sulpture Peter Calaboyias.

There are so many water features in the park. Here is a beautiful garden with water falling over large rock boulders.

More beautiful cascading water architecture...

Husband sits on the edge of the reflecting pool of Centennial Plaza. To the left in the background is the Skyview Atlanta ferris wheel.  One of the eight 65-foot light towers reminiscent of classic Greek columns is right behind him.

The Fountain of Rings: the most popular fountain in the park has 251 synchronized jets of water and computered-controlled lights in the design of the 5 Olympic interlocking rings. As the photo shows it is a popular play area for children.

  
In my next post, I will continue with our weekend adventure to Atlanta with our Atlanta streetcar ride and finally our visit to the aquarium.

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by my husband and me in August, 2016. Unauthorized use is prohibited.