About This Exhibition:
Humor and history were key components that informed the late James E. Newton’s artistic process. Incorporating wit into artwork without interrupting its gravitas was important to the celebrated artist, public intellectual and University of Delaware professor of African American history.
In The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: Heritage and Character Portraits, visitors will get a closer look at Newton’s drawings, collages and prints, and discover the many faces he used to explore character and personality. Through artworks of both real and imaginary characters, including jazz musicians, animals and even himself, visitors will delve into the importance of African American heritage, community and culture in his work.
This exhibition is part of a collaboration between the Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware to celebrate James E. Newton’s legacy as an artist, UD professor and leader in the Delaware community. Additional exhibitions in this collaboration include The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: Poetic Roots at the Delaware Art Museum and The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: The Archival Record at UD’s Morris Library.
Credits:
The exhibition is co-curated by Carolyn Hauk, graduate research assistant to the Museums and doctoral student in the Department of Art History at UD, and Amanda T. Zehnder, chief curator and head of Museums at the UD Library, Museums and Press.
