Modern Heroics

Modern Heroics 75 Years of African-American Expressionism at the Newark Museum This catalogue compliments the exhibition by the same name and presents selected works from Newark's permanent collection of African-American art. Taking a fresh look at heroic themes in modern and contemporary art, this unique exhibition features 32 paintings and sculptural works with an emphasis on storytelling and expressive imagery. Mythical and universal subject matter, the bold use of color and...
More Description

Modern Heroics 75 Years of African-American Expressionism at the Newark Museum This catalogue compliments the exhibition by the same name and presents selected works from Newark's permanent collection of African-American art. Taking a fresh look at heroic themes in modern and contemporary art, this unique exhibition features 32 paintings and sculptural works with an emphasis on storytelling and expressive imagery. Mythical and universal subject matter, the bold use of color and dramatic scale, and the artists' direct physical engagement with their materials are all themes explored in this exhibition. Modern Heroics brings together rarely exhibited works by leading historical and contemporary African-American artists, placing in dialogue several generations and a range of self-taught and formally trained approaches. The exhibition will feature large-scale paintings by Norman Lewis, Purvis Young, Emma Amos, Bob Thompson and Mickalene Thomas among others; and sculptural works by Chakaia Booker, Thornton Dial, Kenseth Armstead and Kevin Sampson. Tricia Laughlin Bloom, Ph.D., Curator, American Art