Recently Sarah visited the Before the Americas exhibit at the Gillespie Gallery at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Curated by Cheryl D. Edwards, the show’s catalog describes it as “a comprehensive historical survey featuring 41 artworks created by Afro-Latino, African, Latino, Caribbean, and African American artists. The exhibition includes works by artists born between the 1800s and the 1990s, representing 14 different countries.” (Before the Americas, page 4).
For those interested to learn more, the Gillespie Gallery currently has the exhibition catalog available for online viewing.
Below are some of Sarah’s favorite artworks in the show. She especially enjoyed seeing so many Washington, DC area artists represented such as Sam Gilliam, David Driskell, Lou Stovall, Alma Thomas, and Loïs Mailou Jones, whose artworks regularly are a beloved part of the collections of local appraisal clients.
Alma Thomas, Lunar Surface, 1970, acrylic on canvas
Some teenagers have boy band posters on their bedroom doors. I instead had art postcards taped all over mine. A postcard of an Alma Thomas painting had pride of place front and center on my bedroom door for years, so it felt really special to spend time in person with this Alma Thomas painting. I think it’s neat how the title references the first moon landing the previous year.
Sam Gilliam, Ain’t More Than Music, 1989, acrylic and enamel on aluminum
It’s always a treat to encounter Sam Gilliam artworks in client collections, and one of my favorite parts is hearing the beautiful stories many of the collectors share about their friendship with him. I loved seeing this gorgeous work included in the exhibit.
Claudia “Aziza” Gibson-Hunter, You Got to Give Up the Stuff That Holds You Down, 2023, acrylic paint and colored pencil on paper
This was one of my very favorite works in the show, and definitely my very favorite title! It was such a joyous piece to experience in person.
David Driskell, Landscape, 1980, acrylic on paper
Try as I might, I couldn’t get my photographs to do justice to this exquisite painting by David Driskell. It shimmered in person!
Lou Stovall, In the Moment, 2012, silkscreen on paper
I really enjoyed seeing this Lou Stovall silkscreen in person. He was such an important figure in the DC art community. The intensity of the colors doesn’t really come through in my photograph.
Amy Sherald, Puppet Master, 2008, oil on canvas
We were very fortunate to see Sherald’s incredible show at the Whitney Museum of Art this summer so I was particularly grateful to also be able to experience this additional painting in person. Painted in 2008, this work dates to before Sherald’s choice to paint skin tones in grisaille.
Martha Jackson Jarvis, Ancestor’s Bones: Sounds from the Sea III, 2014, mixed-media drawing: black walnut ink, watercolor, oil, raw pigment, collage, and photo transfer
I loved this work. I was fascinated with the color and texture created by the black walnut ink! The area of red visible in the center right of my photo isn’t actually part of this work, but a reflection the one pictured immediately below that was installed nearby.
Irene Clouthier, No Human Is Illegal, 2022-23, custom LED light, acrylic, hardware
I love living in an extremely diverse region full of people from all over the world, and it made me happy to see this powerful work included in the show.
Samella Lewis, Bayou Women, 1999, oil stick on paper
The handling of the oil stick on paper was a delight to see in person.
Loïs Mailou Jones, Studio Still Life, 1970, watercolor on paper
My all-time favorite photo of the artist is the famous one where her cat is balancing on her shoulder while she paints. If my Chihuahua could figure out how to do that, I know she would! Watercolors by Loïs Mailou Jones show up in local client collections so I really appreciated the opportunity to closely study this one in person.
Martin Puryear, Hand Sculpture, 1993, wood
I loved this piece!
I was very impressed that the exhibit included a display of recommended reading for visitors who wanted to continue learning more. What a wonderful model for other museums to adopt!