An exploration of the vast works by African American artists is the current centerpiece exhibit at Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University.
“Cinderella Man,” an oil painting on canvas by Al Burts in 2011, is part of “Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection,” on display at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University through Dec. 28. (Courtesy/Eric Key Collection)
Titled “Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection,” the exhibit is 90 pieces from Smithfield native and collector Eric Key. The exhibition is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to cultural exchange. The Torggler is the first of 10 U.S. stops for the exhibit, which is on display locally through Dec. 28.
“This is just selections from his collection. It’s more extensive than this,” Executive Director Holly Koons said.
Key, director of the arts program at the University of Maryland Global Campus, began purchasing the works in the early 1990s. He was driven by questions of identity and a commitment to preserve and elevate African American artists and art.
Curator Lucas Matheson said the center was drawn to the collection’s extensive variety: sculptures, paintings, photographs and mixed media. The 75 artists range from the self-taught to the highly trained, spanning almost a century of art.
Each piece is accompanied by a first-person account from the collector. Key wrote background information and what drew him to a piece. Koons said that is unusual for an art exhibit.
“We redo the entire space for every exhibition,” she said, noting that temporary walls are moved and painted.
Matheson organized the exhibit into six categories. The first section is the “sense of self,” in the way of identity as well as senses and sensuality, he said.
“Color Test,” a mixed media assemblage by Schroeder Cherry in 1995, is part of “Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection,” on display at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University through Dec. 28. (Courtesy/Eric Key Collection)
A standout piece is “Torso,” made of orange onyx, by Elizabeth Catlett in 1970. A feminist, she often dealt in themes of womanhood and families, Koons said. There are two more pieces by the artist in the exhibit.
“She was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and also worked in Mexico for a long period of time,” Koons said.
The “labor and political struggle” section includes works of Gordon Parks, who photographed poverty among African Americans in Washington, D.C., Matheson said.
“Emerging Into Spirit” by Artis Lane is a symbol of breaking out of bondage, Matheson noted.
The “outsider and folk” section shows self-taught artists.
“The question of outsider and insider is crucial in the history of African American art,” he said.
“Hybrid Figure,” a welded bronze statue by Richard Hunt in 1987, is part of “Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection,” on display at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University through Dec. 28. (Courtesy/Eric Key Collection)
Key included faith-based works in his collection. Koons pointed to how “The Black Madonna” incorporates the ancient and modern. The child appears to have a fist raised and is wearing modern clothes. The artist, Margo Humphrey, told Key the piece is her reaction to the shooting of Trayvon Martin in 2012 in Sanford, Florida. The shooting sparked nationwide outrage over racial profiling.
Representations of music include depictions of jazz trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. Ernie Eugene Barnes’ “Bass Cello Player” is watercolor and pencil; not many of his works are publicly displayed, Matheson noted.
The “landscape” section features a work by Henry O. Tanner and is the only 19th-century piece in the exhibit.
A centerpiece is the sculpture by Richard Hunt. He also has a piece, “Build a Dream,” in Newport News’ public art collection around the city.
The “abstract” section shows “African American art is not one thing, not one particular style,” Matheson said.
The Torggler’s other exhibit is “Luisa Adelfio: Transcendence.” It features a selection of the artist’s paintings, drawings and sculptures from the past five years, including her “Corona Chronicles,” created during the COVID-19 pandemic. The artwork depicts domestic objects in pastel on newspaper, reflecting the stark headlines of the global crisis.
Her recent work includes oil paintings on linen and on panel and sculptures of acrylic and glass. Adelfio, a working artist since 1984, lives in Norfolk and Palermo, Italy. Her works are shown in galleries and museums worldwide.
If you go
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 28 (closed on Nov. 26 and holidays)
Where: Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News
Cost: Free
Details: thetorggler.org, 757-594-0800
