The summer exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, originally scheduled to open here in April was delayed due to the pandemic lockdown that resulted in museum closures. This acclaimed exhibition, Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power was originally organized by the Tate Museum in London and was most recently residing at the de Young Museum in San Francisco coming to Houston as the final venue for this three year tour.
The exhibit features the work of more than 60 Black artists created over two revolutionary decades in American history from the 1960’s to the 1980’s
Soul of a Nation explores what it meant to be a Black artist in America during that tumultuous. era durint the Civil Rights movement. The exhibit is organized into 13 sections and features artists from across the United States, with a special emphasis on aligned groups that evolved in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and another focus on the artist Betye Saar.
Exhibit special focus on Black Art in Houston….
Black Art in Houston: this gallery explores the work of Houston artists, displaying powerful representations with surface and form. In the 1950’s, painter and printmaker John Biggers and sculptor Carroll Harris Simms established an art program at what is now Texas Southern University. They went on to educate several generations of students in ways to express self-pride and self-identity. Biggers and Simms are represented by drawings, paintings and sculpture alongside the work of one of their noted protégés, photographer Earlie Hudnall Jr. and Kermit Oliver.
“We are enormously privileged to serve as the final venue for this landmark exhibition, which has received tremendous acclaim since its debut in London for its path-breaking exploration of the art of this pivotal era,” said Gary Tinterow, Director, the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. “Two years ago, we urged the Tate in London to send their show to Houston because of its profound illustration of the power of art to inspire social change. We thought it was important to bring that message to America’s most diverse city.”
It should be noted that the MFAH has implemented social-distancing protocols for all visitors, including required face masks. Also, new Museum hours should be checked and advanced ticket purchases are suggested. Please check by clicking onto their website here, http://www.mfah.org