Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints

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Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints

January 26 - May 4, 2008

One of the world's most recognized African-American artists will be celebrated at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in the exhibition, Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints, January 26 - May 4, 2008, in the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing. (right: Jacob Lawrence, American, 1917-2000, General Toussaint L'Ouverture, 1986, Toussaint L'Ouverture series, Color print, 32 x 22 inches. Collection of Alitash Kebede)

"Jacob Lawrence's powerful imagery of world events and themes focusing on a diverse humanity, are supported by a dynamic palette and mesmerizing forms and compositions, which have come to define his place in 20th-century American art," said Dr. Stephen Borys, Ulla R. Searing Curator of Collections at the Ringling Museum.

Comprised of 35 silk-screen prints, the exhibition brings together three important series of limited edition prints called Genesis, Hiroshima and Toussaint L'Ouverture created during the last few decades of Lawrence's life. Lawrence drew from his baptism in the Abyssinian Baptist Church in 1932 to create the works in the Genesis series which focuses on man's creation. The Hiroshima series illustrates the series of everyday events and struggles surrounding the dropping of the atomic bomb in August 1945 in Japan. The Toussaint L'Ouverture series tells the visual story of the Haitian revolution leader's life.

In his graphic work, as in his paintings, Lawrence uses history and his own personal experience to explain human nature. Intense and highly personal, Lawrence attempts to make sense of life's mysteries through colorful and dramatic art.

"His embrace of epic narrative subjects ran counter to the prevailing trends during his life," said Alexandra Libby, Assistant Curator of European Art at the Ringling Museum. "From depictions of civil rights confrontations to scenes of daily life, these images presented a vision of the common struggle toward unity and equality, a universal struggle deeply seated in the depths of the human consciousness."

Lawrence was the first African-American accepted into New York's Museum of Modern Art, thereby setting the standards for African-American artists. According to art scholars who study Lawrence's work, Lawrence is credited for introducing African-American history and culture into the pantheon of art history. (left: Jacob Lawrence, American, 1917-2000, Boy with Kite, 1983, Hiroshima Series, 14 7/8 x 11 _ inches, Screenprint on Somerset paper. Collection of Alitash Kebede)

Born and raised in Harlem, Lawrence took art courses at the Harlem Art Workshop, American Artists School in New York and participated in the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project which provided more than 5,000 jobs for artists and produced more than 225,000 works of art for the American people during the Great Depression.

Theater programs in the Historic Asolo Theater and educational programs for children, adults and families will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition. Admission for theater and educational programs is not included with the price of admission for the exhibition. For more information, visit www.ringling.org.

The exhibition comes from the collection of Alitash Kebede of Los Angeles, Calf. and is organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, Calf. Landau Traveling Exhibitions, since 1967, has presented more that 500 fine art and architecture exhibitions at museums and university galleries throughout the world.

The exhibition is funded, in part, by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Institute Program.

(above: Jacob Lawrence, American, 1917-2000, To Preserve Their Freedom, 1988, Silk screen on rag paper, edition 99. Collection of Alitash Kebede)

Exhibition Checklist

Jacob Lawrence

"In the beginning all was void."

Genesis Series, 1989-90