Art in Special Collections: Latino and African American Fine Art and Photography Collections...

The following abstract was taken from Art Documentation which is the official bulletin of the Art Libraries Society of North America, 1982-present. Published twice a year (spring and fall) it includes articles and information relevant to art librarianship and visual resources curatorship. "Art in Special Collections: Latino and African American Fine Art and Photography Collections in Academic Institutions" by Rebecca Hankins and Miguel Juárez was a featured article in the current issue.

Abstract

"Often university libraries or archive/special collections house large fine art and photographic collections by African American and Latino artists. These collections are frequently hidden due to inadequate funding to promote them, minimal exhibit space, insufficient staffing with requisite exhibition and curatorial expertise, and/or diminished cataloging or digital priority. This article seeks to address the concerns and issues that affect this lack of exposure within academic special collections in both large and small institutions. The intent is to highlight successful strategies that can be used by other repositories seeking to diversify their art and photography holdings."

I made a request through Rebecca Hankins to have some way to share this article with readers and followers of the blog. Through Rebecca's efforts, the editor of Art Documentation has given me a pdf of the article to share with others. SEE: http://www.scribd.com/doc/40184214?secret_password=2c80xn2yj0u5c970fb48

My thanks are extended to Rebecca and Miguel, as well as the editor and staff at Art Documentation.

Swann Galleries: African American Fine Art , Sale 2224

Swann Galleries held its ninth African American Fine Art sale on October 7, 2010. This was the continuation of an on-going series of auctions devoted entirely to African-American fine art, beginning in February 2007. In comparison to American art, as a whole, African American art is still in its nascent stage as it relates to auctions. Because there has not been an extensive amount of African American art at auction, these works can still be acquired at very reasonable prices. Unfortunately, the art produced by African American artists is clearly undervalued by any standard of judgment. For the time being, many good to excellent works are affordable even for the beginning and mid-level private collector or smaller institutions that have included collecting works by African American artists as a part of their collection development policy goal. 

This most recent auction of 140 lots had a success rate of selling 2/3 of the lots, leaving 42 lots unsold. Questions abound as to the why the 42 lots did not sell. Is the economy still at an unsettling stage for the average collector in this area of collecting? Is it fair to assume that the highs and lows of the general financial market is reflected in the art market? Have the "investor-collector" and the "speculative-collector" become less visible as in the housing market? Are the results from this current art sale simply an overall trend or pattern in the area of fine art auctions? Were the available items not of interest based on style, subject matter, artist representation? In spite of the many questions, the results from art auctions can have a positive impact on an artist's financial future. Simply stated, when an artist's prices rise at auction, then the prices on new works sold by the artist or their dealer will also rise.

Robert Colescott, A Legend Dimly Told, 1982,
Acrylic on canvas, 84 x 72 inches

Approximately 17 lots either met or exceeded their high expectations; however, two items were among record prices at Swann's African-American Fine Art auction. The top lot was Robert Colescott's A Legend Dimly Told, that sold for $132,000 inclusive of buyer's premium, setting an auction record for the artist. A Legend Dimly Told which is an acrylic on canvas (84 x 72 inches) and dated 1982 had an estimate of $50,000 - $75,000. According to the exhibition catalogue, it had been exhibited in "The Whitney Biennial, The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, 1983; Robert Colescott: A Retrospective, 1975 -1986, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, California; and a traveling exhibition, 1987 - 1989." For more information on  Colescott, read Robert Colescott's obituary from the New York Times and his oral history interview  from the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. 





Sargent Claude Johnson, Mask, 1933,
Copper repoussé with gilding,
12½ x 6½ x 2 inches

 Sargent Johnson's Mask (lot 8), one of my personal favorites in the auction, also set an artist record when it sold for $67,200 inclusive of buyer's premium. Its pre-auction estimate was $30,000 - $50,000. As stated in the Swann auction catalogue, "Mask is an excellent example of Sargent Johnson's work in repoussé from the 1930s, and the first of its kind to come to auction. It is among the earliest examples of his sculpture incorporating African forms with modernist design." For further reading, see: Sargent Johnson, Retrospective (an exhibition catalogue from the exhibition curated by Evangeline J. Montgomery at the Oakland Museum, Art Division Special Gallery, February 23 to March 21, 1971.); Sargent Johnson : African American Modernist (an exhibition catalogue from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, March 13 to July 7, 1998; and Sargent Johnson (an article by E. J. Montgomery in the International Review of African American Art, vol. 6 (2) 1984, pages 4-17. Check your local library for these and other titles relating to African American art and artists. Also, see the Smithsonian Archives of American Art's oral history interview with Johnson which was conducted July 31, 1964.  

As I indicated, lot 8 was one of my personal favorites; overall, I was drawn to the small sculptural pieces. Other favorites included Charles Alston's Untitled (lot 13, Head of a Man) which was one of the unsold pieces and Elizabeth Catlett's polished cast bronze (lot 98, Portrait) which did sell for its low estimate ($24,000 inclusive of buyer's premium). Also, Dox Thrash's Portrait of a Young Man (lot 18), Robert Pious' Joe Louis vs. Clarence "Red" Burman (lot 22), Lois Jones' Le Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, Paris (lot 42), and Hale Woodruff's Returning Home (lot 9) were of special interest. I am now anxiously awaiting the next African-American Fine Art auction at Swann Galleries.

To view the results of the African American Fine Art Sale 2224, see: sale results and prices including buyer's premium.

National Black Memorabilia, Art, Doll and Collectible Show

 The National Black Memorabilia, Art, Doll and Collectible Show, celebrating it 27th year, will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 16 - 17, 2011 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Plans have been well underway and are led by Lindsey B. Johnson of L. Johnson Promotions, Ltd.  Johnson indicates "the show is now 2 days and in addition to black memorabilia, we are highlighting black fine art and African American dolls."  



Black Panther materials

 Johnson further emphasizes that "the items included in the Show will be original black memorabilia and collectibles, and no reproductions." A short lists of categories of items included will feature: historical artifacts and documents, books, autographs, paintings, sports memorabilia, dolls, photographic items, figurines, coins, stamps, paper collectibles, quilts, jewelry, and etc. 



Black Pipe detail

 The National Black Memorabilia, Art, Doll and Collectible Show will not only provide a venue for the public to purchase, but to be educated on the African American experience. There will be educational exhibits, book signings, and celebrity autograph sessions. In addition, it will afford both vendors and customers an opportunity to meet black memorabilia collectors, black artists, black doll makers, and the like.

                                                        




Mooress (figural)

 Also, this is an opportunity for the visual artist who works in multi-media, collaged assemblages and the like to acquire original pieces of black memorabilia or ephemera to incorporate into their art, evoking a sense of memory, ancestry, and any common cultural connection between the past and the present.  


There is still time to become a vendor for the National Black Memorabilia, Art, Doll and Collectible Show, so submit your application early. If there are any questions or you need additional information, please call 301/ 649-1915, view http://www.johnsonshows.com/   or send an email to Ljohnsonshows@aol.com.