African American Art Show Closes

So goes another popular SITES exhibition, Ancestry and Innovation: African American Art from the American Folk Art Museum, ended its national tour in mid-October at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina. Like most exhibitions that include fine art, the exhibition run was only two years--a measure to safeguard the collections from light, temperature, and humidity exposure. You know the rules, but parting is still such sweet sorrow. The objects have now safely made their way back to the American Folk Art Museum in New York.

But people are still talking about the collection of 39 quilts, sculptures, paintings, and works on paper from a host of self-taught black artists such as Clementine Hunter, Kevin Sampson, and Pearlie Posey:

"Odd, strange, and unbelievable!"

"Loved the stories behind the quilts and art work. Such beauty from simple beginnings."

"Impressed by the vitality of the pieces and the naturalness, the imperfection of them."

"Moving stories which enrich already meaningful art! Enjoyed the unexpected twists of humor."

"Very different and strange things, but so, so cool. We loved it!"

"I loved the paintings. They reminded me of spending time with my dad."

>> Check out a few works from the show
>> See kid-made works inspired by the works in the exhibition
>> Read artist biographies

Comments

[Shivam]

Yes, it really rocks.

[Toronto]

The Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life compares the lives of Minnesota Pioneers with those of the Dakotah Indians who lived in the region.