Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Art collector and progressive thinker Dr. Albert Barnes was committed to showing the influence of African art on modern Western artists—a practice that’s evident in the unique wall ensembles he arranged at his famed Barnes Foundation. Today, these still-in-tact arrangements, which boldly show the cross-cultural connections of art, are lauded throughout the art community. As the May 2012 opening of the Barnes Foundation’s Philadelphia campus approaches, area art institutions honor Barnes’ early push to recognize artistic expression from across the Diaspora by showing off their African and African-American art offerings. Here’s a look at what’s on view both permanently and temporarily:

African Art:

• Dr. Albert Barnes’ interest in African art dates back to the early 1920s when he acquired traditional African masks and sculptures from the Dan and possibly Kulango societies of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as from Guinea and northeast Liberia. Visitors can see theses works, which he describes as “the purest expression of the three-dimensional form,” at the Barnes Foundation’s soon-to-open Philadelphia campus. Home to a remarkable collection of paintings from the masters of modern art, the Barnes Foundation is unique in its visual presentation of its collections, grouping works from across time and cultures in order to compare artists’ perspectives from all over the world. 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (866) 849-7056, barnesfoundation.org
• The Penn Museum’s (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) Imagine Africa gallery project, on display through January 2013, invites visitors to explore art, culture and contemporary issues of Africa and the African Diaspora and share their own questions, perspectives and ideas about what they’d like to see in future African gallery exhibitions. The gallery project uses artifacts, images, thematic content and multimedia experiences to elicit comments and feedback. Visitors can also enjoy accompanying dance performances, lectures and other community events. The nearly 125-year old museum is known for its extensive African art and artifact collection of masks, sculptures, instruments, famed Benin bronzes, embroidered garments, jewelry and a wide range of other materials from throughout the continent, highlights of which are on view in the African Gallery adjacent to the Imagine Africa gallery project. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000, penn.museum

African-American Art:

• The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) debuts PAFA and Dr. Barnes, showcasing works from the permanent collection that relate to Barnes’ tastes and philosophy, as well as works by his friends (such as William J. Glackens and Horace Pippin) and items from the PAFA Archives, April 7 through July 8. And, of course, any time of year, visitors can view major works by African-American artists included throughout PAFA’s permanent collection galleries, including works by Nick Cave, Whitfield Lovell, Horace Pippin and many others. 118 N. Broad Street, (215) 972-7600, pafa.org
• Prominent African-American architect Julian Abele is credited with the design of the east façade of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but visitors can see the work of creative African-Americans on the inside of the building as well. Three not-to-be-missed works: Miss T by Barkley Hendricks, Storage Jar by David Drake and Mr. Prejudice by Horace Pippin. Come September 2012, the museum will mount Full Spectrum: Prints from the Brandywine Workshop, which encompasses several decades of achievement in print making in Philadelphia, including many contributions by major African-American artists in the city and region. And in spring 2013, the exhibition Barbara Chase-Riboud: Malcolm X will showcase more than 40 of the artist’s works, with a primary focus on her Malcolm X sculptures. 26^th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org
• The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is home to a large collection of paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, sculptures, fiber and mixed-media works that chronicle and dramatically tell the story of the black Diaspora. Throughout its 35-year history, the museum has exhibited the work of many of America’s most influential African-American artists, including Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, Moe Brooker, Romare Bearden, Carrie Mae Weems, John Biggers and Lawrence Finney. In keeping with that tradition, AAMP will present Limited Editions, Joseph Holston Prints, 1974–2010, beginning in April 2012 and featuring 72 prints by Holston, who is known for his depictions of American culture such as the jazz scene and the Underground Railroad. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, aampmuseum.org
• In 2012, the Brandywine Workshop celebrates 40 years of leading the development and understanding of American printmaking as a fine art form. The organization has sponsored more than 400 visiting artists’ residencies from 35 states and 15 countries, in addition to ethnically diverse artists from around the region. Guests can also peruse and purchase more than 600 prints and lithographs from artists-in-residence past and present, including Sam Gilliam, Jacob Landau, Jules Olitski, Betye Sarr and Moe Brooker. Throughout the spring and summer, the Brandywine Workshop will host residencies by several artists from the African Diaspora. And in the fall, the workshop will work with the Philadelphia Museum of Art to promote the Full Spectrum exhibit (see above listing). 728 S. Broad Street, (215) 546-3675, brandywineworkshop.com
• Located in the city’s historic Chestnut Hill neighborhood, Woodmere Art Museum celebrates the work of Philadelphia artists, including the city’s many great African-American talents. The museum recently acquired works by Ron Tarver, Claude Clark, Paul F. Keene Jr. and James Brantley, and it regularly displays works by Allan R. Freelon, Ellen Powell Tiberino, Dox Thrash, Raymond Steth, Louis Baynard Sloan, Martha Manning, David Clyde Driskell and Moe Brooker. Coming in 2012: an exhibit featuring artistic creations by Horace Pippin and Charles Jay. 9201 Germantown Avenue, (215) 247-0476, woodmereartmuseum.org

The With Art Philadelphia™ collaborative is a first-of-its-kind partnership to position Philadelphia among the world’s great art destinations and to increase visitation to the region from around the world. The group is made up of the City of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology), the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Parkway Council Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PNC and PECO.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Rachel Ferguson, (215) 599-2291
• Cara Schneider, (215) 599-0789