The Cosby Family Collection @ The Smithsonian

Homage to Langston Hughes (c) Charles White

Art collector Don Rubell has said “…it is; I believe, deeply rooted in my genes.” Don and Mera Rubell are among the world’s fore-most collectors of contemporary art. You might even imagine the couple as having “Rock Star” status among the finest of the collectors breed. The same can certainly be said for Bill and Camille Cosby. The Cosby’s have been collecting passionately since the nineteen sixties. Early on their interest revolved around the great works of Charles White. They have expanded extensively in the decades since. The Cosby Family Collection is comprehensive and deeply ingrained historically with the work of the African-American. It is massive, monumentally engaging and a thing of true beauty. 

The Thankful Poor (c) Henry O Tanner                                             

The National Museum of African Art is currently exhibiting the Bill and Camille Cosby Family Collection along with their permanent collection of African art from the continent. The Cosby collected works will be on view into early 2016. The works and artist included range from portraits by the early American Joshua Johnston to contemporary pieces by Whitfield Lovell. Henry O. Tanner’s “The Thankful Poor” is a work of creative and artistic importance that hasn’t been on public view for decades is featured within the exhibit. It is a work of strength and character; a national treasure unto itself. Elizabeth Catlett’s sculpture along with Alma Thomas’ color-field semi abstractions are high lights. Legendary artists Edward Bannister, Arron Douglas, Archibald Motley Jr. and Romare Bearden all represented on display and in grand style.  This is a rare opportunity as it is a journey through time and centuries of art that are very much unique to a private collection. 

Maternity  (c)  Elizabeth Cattlett

Artist and Art Historian David Driskell became a consultant to the Cosby’s in the nineteen eighties. He has lovingly and accurately since guided and assisted on the acquisition decisions of the Cosby couple. Driskell curated an exhibition in 1976 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that opened the eyes of the world to the depth, quality and richness of African-American Art. The catalogue of the exhibition “Two Centuries of Black American Art” was published nationally and became a “Bible” of sort and guide for researchers, enthusiast and collectors for years after. Driskell went on to author and edit other fabulous books including the treasured volume; “The Other Side of Color.” It high-lights the now historic Cosby Collection and features the Cosby’s thoughts and comments on their collecting philosophy and tastes. Erica Cosby; the daughter of Bill and Camille, who is now an art scholar and artist  gives an interesting dialogue on the perspective of growing up with one of the nation’s premier art collections. An example of Erica’s painterly artistic talent is on display in the exhibit as well.

Portrait of Bill and Camille Cosby (c) Simmie Knox

Bill Cosby is well known to the world as comedian, actor, philanthropist and humanitarian. He has contributed much to world culture in various personas. It is the best that a person has offered that we celebrate. Cosby is a giant among his peers and a friend to the many. We are now able to see Bill Cosby; Art Collector as he offers his contribution to the dialogue on great art. It is the spirit and love of the height of world culture as expressed in the mysterious, marvelous things we see and cherish that we join him in joy; in admiration. The collection within it’s glory is a thing sublime.

            At the National Museum of African Art                  

 

The Cosbys briefly discuss their views on Art.

Roots (c) Walter Williams                     

Wayne Theibaud: Landscapes, Cityscapes, Ice Cream and Fresh Cakes

“Landscapes, Cityscapes, Ice Cream and Fresh Cakes” could well be an ad/slogan for the colorful and generous paintings of Wayne Theibaud. His beautiful works are heavily painted, impasto rich canvases that engage and delight his viewers. Theibaud is most closely associated with the “Pop” art movement and artists like Warhol, Lichtenstein, Blake and Hockney. 

His natural talents and training come together in extravagant ways that illuminate our vision of the world through Theibauds eyes. He has this in common with many of the other historic and contemporary masters.  His cakes and candies simply look delicious. His hot dogs give off a warmth and aroma while the ice creams refresh and chill all through the sense of sight.  

It is with his landscapes and cityscapes that I think Theibaud reaches his greatest mastery and are of an even more original statement of artistry then his more famous “Pop” pieces. Theibaud’s landscapes often exhibit hills and mountains of an extreme reality. Taken in context of the Northern California hill sides they are viewed as less extreme and closely resemble the uniqueness of the mountainous area of his home. When looking at the range of land in the area of South Western Virginia that I live in I daily see    views much like those created within Theibaud’s works. The hills are so extreme where I live that the cows are possibly the world’s only cows that are able to graze by raising their heads.

Whenever I’m driving and seeing fields of any red flowers I think of Monet. Green pastures and the yellow harvesting of wheat or hay connect me to Van Gogh. While looking out my window in the dead of winter with the browns, grays and muted hues of that season; I’m seeing the land of Andrew Wyeth’s Chadds Ford.  Now the tallest of lush green hills I see when and wherever will always be Theibaud Hills in my mind.  

Theibaud has famously done and includes character and life studies within his portfolio. He also teaches and has worked in the field of animation. Theibaud is a multi-threat/talented artist and man. He has impressed and influenced many in his time. It is his works that speak most positively for the man and I will let his works serve as conclusion.

The Frankenstein Monster

The Frankenstein monster

The lifeless; the dead

Seemed utterly harmless

with probes in his head

 A little of lightning

a bolt and a shock

 delivered the message

it’s time to wake up

The roar of the thunder

the crack of the shock

 he listened and heard them

just like a knock, knock

There’s  business for you

both scary and Grimm

a village to greet you

get going again.

He hurried; he worried

His efforts in vain

He grunted and growled

His brain was insane

He couldn’t remember the joy of a LIFE

The next thing he wanted you know was a wife

So quickly constructed

with bride and with friend

again starting over

his dreams to begin

but they too were shattered

when Bride say his face

this creature of science

could not find his place

He wished to belong

just one in the crowd

he ranted and raved

he shouted out loud

there’s no witches brew

or splendid, warm places

 His bride left him too

her beauty not wasted

The monster moved on

without kit or kin

he’s walking the Earth

resistant to sin

Avoiding each village

each hamlet and den

just can’t get connected

there’s never a  friend

You may see him soon

he’ll visit your town

Just some “thing” much scary

he rambles around

The ocean, the river, the light of the moon

Remarkable, distant, magnanimous goon

Dave Mckean: The Arcane The Image

To look into the art of Dave Mckean is to look into places of unlimited intrigue, depth and range. The works are window openings into a mysterious and arcane psyche. The portals are many and vast as a journey outward into the stars or equally inward to the micro biotic multi-verses. 





                                            Mckean seduces and captures with the creations of his unbridled talent and imagination. His worlds are mystical, magical potions of the best alchemy. Mirror Mask, The Sandman, Wolves in the Wall, Coraline are among the stories, novels and films of Dave Mckean. They are all collaborations in part with his colleague/friend; the much admired writer Neil Gaiman.

The work can be dark, foreboding and something strange as that of a counter-culture artist. Mckean’s art is not repellant like many other counter-culturists but inviting and dreamlike without being the stuff of nightmares.    

In 1993 DC Comics would introduce their now legendary line of graphic novels; Vertigo. Editor Karen Berger would enlist writer Neil Gaiman for the initial series of books; “Sandman.” The entire line of books including Gaiman’s “Sandman” were targeted for mature readers and are among the most popular and celebrated of the Horror/Fantasy genre. Dave Mckean would join “Sandman” as official cover artist mid-way through it’s run and his work would become the art most associated with “Sandman.” They are also among Mckean’s most recognizable and original creations. “Sandman would be described as:

“A comic strip for Intellectuals.”

Norman Mailer

Another author from the Vertigo Line; Grant Morrison had earlier (1989) penned the then radical hard-cover novel, “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.” His was a Dark Knight Tale remarkably conceived and illustrated with Mckean’s extraordinary graphics and evocative paintings. It remains a land-mark achievement and is in every sense a classical marriage of prose and image.

As a film maker; Mckean’s seminal work to date is “Mirror Mask.” It is yet another brilliant collaboration with Neil Gaiman and The Jim Henson Company. The plot is a variation of Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.” The look is visually stunning with the definitive style of Mckean’s best product. It is memorable as a cult film with a distinct “indie” flavor. 

The reflective study of the works of Dave Mckean is a perfect start for a breezy October evening and then on; into the night.

The Puryear Papers

If you were to look at Martin Puryear as the pains-taking, attention to detail craftsman that he is; that would be fine. You could; in theory, view his work as decorative objects designed to adorn a room or space with a truth of grace and beauty. He can also represent the last of the artist as hands on interpreter of the world and the glories of life. Martin Puryear is all of these; he is in every reality many things more. 

              

                                                                 

                     
                   

 Martin  Puryear speaks eloquently through his pieces that seem to be glorious over-sized works that were they created on a smaller scale be some useful hand held thing or tool. His works would be no less beautiful were they smaller; no less engaging.  The scales of the objects are amazing as single pieces adequately consume entire galleries. Walking among the works is to inhabit a place of wonder and artistry in the purest form. His efforts are of world class elegance and he is surely admired around the globe. Wood is the primary material of choice for Martin Puryear. Stone, wire mesh, and rawhide are known by his hands as well. He is adventurous in his choices of materials as well as in his range of creations.

                                                                                   
                                      

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I was first introduction to Mr. Puryear through the pages of Ebony Magazine in a nineteen seventies article noting praise-worthy contemporary African-American Artists. His works do sometimes speak to his heritage as a former resident of Washington DC and a Black American. His piece “Ladder for Booker T. Washington” is a particular and exceptional example of his acknowledgement of the shared American and Black Histories. The ladder (431” x 22” x 3”) is created from a single sapling split in two and joined by rungs. The work is an optical illusion of sorts as it bends and turns from the 22” base to about 1.25” at the piece’s apex. The cultures of many nations have influenced and informed the works of martin Puryear. Sierra Leone, Sweden, Japan and France are among the countries he has lived in, studied and embraced “The Family of Man.” He works reflect the sensibilities of an amazing world citizen.

  

The PBS series   art : 21   chose Martin Puryear as one of their first artist’s to be profiled. He was awarded “The National Medal of Arts” by President Barack Obama. Several great museums including The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC have honored Mr. Puryear with retrospectives. He was recently part of the highest priced auction in history when Christies scored an amazing $745 million in sells. $1.8 million of the total came from the sale of a Puryear piece. Congratulations to Mr. Puryear for all his awards and achievements as he continues in his efforts. He is making a difference for the positive in the world; he is doing very well.  

“At a certain point, I just put the building and the art impulse together. I decided that building was a legitimate way to make sculpture.”

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                    Martin Puryear

The Batman and Mr. Finch

                               
David finch has been a fixture and a mainstay within the comic book industry for more than a few years now. He is too with some certain consensus one of the most popular, prolific and persuasive talents to grace the covers and pages of said books dating from the mediums inception to this; the modern day. Publishers including Marvel, DC and independents have all benefited from Finch’s output of phenomenal product and material. Take a pinch of Jim lee, a dash of Brian Bolland mixed with David’s own originality and edginess and you have what is a treat to all aficionados of the form.

Just a few years ago the cover of the September 2010 issue of Wizard magazine would announce a new beginning for Batman. It was graced by what is possibly the single most compelling rendering of Bob Kane’s creation since Detective Comics #27 many years previous, “way back” in May 1939. The five chapter single issue inaugural run “Batman: the Dark Knight” would prove to be some of Finch’s most remarkable and collected works. Finch would take on the writing credits along with penciling on the landmark title. 

Highlights of the featured novel “Golden Dawn” would include appearances by Bat-villains; The Penguin and Killer Croc along with guest–star Jack Kirby’s creation The Demon.  The books would be the last published by DC linked to the original line of comic books. This was achieved before the complete revamping of the entire collective DC titles dubbed by the company “The New 52.” Without losing a step Finch would relaunch his title this time solely as penciller with Paul Jenkins writing a truly bizarre Scare Crow tale both sweeping and entertainly disturbing. The very thing we expect a Scare Crow story arc should be.  

David Finch’s tenure as Bat-Artist/Writer would produce a number of iconic covers; panels and chapters. The graphic story-telling form is much enriched by Mr. Finch and his talents; particularly his artistry. He has moved on from the Batman and is currently developing; along with his wife Meredith, what promises to become a classic version of Wonder Woman. A husband wife team of co-creators is a first for the field and is deservedly and eagerly anticipated.  

Michael Zulli TMNT

Eastman and Laird’s Ninja Turtles are back; this time in a new hit movie. It’s not their first time on film but this is the best version to date; a solid entertainment. Since their 1980’s inception they have appeared in every incarnation; form and genre imaginable. Their cross-over success from film to animation to graphic novel and merchandising has varied greatly from medium to medium and from style to style. There is no definitive look or genesis of The Turtles. Their importance also remains largely to the degree ascribed by any viewer or selective non-participant in the phenomenon.  To date my personal favorite TMNT look and effort is by artist Michael Zulli and writer Stephen Murphy. Their first work as scribes was a single issue short story featured in Volume One Book 31 July 1990 “Souls Winter.” It ranks among the great works of comic book art. It is in form and fashion possibly the most unique and amazing work created by any artists working in the field of graphic story-telling. In particular it is Zulli’s drawing that takes the tale beyond illustration into the company of the world’s great art; high or low.

Zulli was first noted and responsible for a graphic series “The Puma Blues.” It was a post-apocalyptic vision of man kind’s obligation and place in the natural world. This experience gave Zulli a unique and distinctive vision to apply to the Eastman/Laird project. Zulli excelled, as he took the series to an unexpected place beyond the comic, beyond anything expected or seen before in any graphic book. “Souls Winter’ remains a bench mark. 

Nominated three times for Eisner’s Zulli is respected and admired by his peers and followers. He has worked on DC Comic’s Swamp Thing and Sandman with Neil Gaiman. He is current working on a personal project; “Fracture of the Universal Boy: Right Here and Now.”  “Fracture” consists of Zulli’s thoughts on life, love and art. What is essentially survival in our misanthropic times is a large part of the theme of the book. Click on the graphic below to see Michael Zulli’s own blog as his artistic life’s journey continues.