People throughout the south are familiar with Jonathan Green’s paintings. He is beloved by many for his vibrant depictions of Gullah life and culture in the Lowcountry. Few, however, are familiar with the incredible collection of artwork assembled by Jonathan and his partner and studio manager, Richard Weedman, over the past 35 years. And what a collection it is. To share this remarkable group of works with the public, the Gibbes has organized the exhibition Vibrant Vision: The Collection of Jonathan Green and Richard Weedman, on view in the museum’s Main Gallery through April 21, 2013.
Over the past year and a half, Richard, Jonathan, and I worked collaboratively to select the exhibition from their astounding collection of nearly 1,300 paintings, sculpture, and works on paper. Deciding upon the final group of 49 works was difficult, but also an enjoyable process. The core of Jonathan and Richard’s collection focuses on artwork created under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of the 1930s and 40s, and era of American art that has always been of great interest to me. The collection also spans beyond the WPA, encompassing works by a broad range of artists who reflect the diverse cultural influences that have shaped American art over the past hundred years.
Vibrant Vision opened last week with a lovely reception attended by 300 Gibbes supporters. Hearing Richard and Jonathan speak so passionately about the artwork and the exhibition was one of the highlights of the night. And lucky for us, they have agreed to speak several times throughout the run of the exhibition to share their knowledge and passion with others. Special gallery tours are scheduled for Thursdays January 24, February 21, March 14, and April 18 at 2:30pm; and the Art of Healing—a conversation and cocktail reception—will be held at the museum on Thursday, January 31, at 6pm. These programs are an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
—Pam Wall, Curator of Exhibitions, Gibbes Museum of Art
Visit our online calendar for more information about the programs listed above.
The Gibbes Museum has produced a mobile website feature with additional information on the WPA and several of the artists included in the Vibrant Vision exhibition. Visit http://bit.ly/VibrantVision to learn more.
Published January 18, 2013