Touring the Norton Museum of Art

"Noir, Sacatra, Griffe, Marabou, Mulatre, Mamelouque,
Quarteronnee, Sang-Melee, Blanche) by Leah Gordon (2012)

The recently expanded Norton Museum is a gorgeous space that features a large "living room" with comfy chairs where visitors can relax and contemplate what they've seen. But we were on a schedule, and with 50,000 square feet of galleries to explore, there was little time for relaxation. 

"Noir, Sacatra, Griffe, Marabou, Mulatre, Mamelouque, Quarteronnee, Sang-Melee, Blanche" might have been my favorite work of the day. In the work, photographer Leah Gordon turns the caste system of 18th century colonial Haiti on its head. To French colonists, white skin was superior to the black color of the native Haitians. Here, the premier spot is occupied by the darkest of the sitters and labeled "Noir." A white skinned woman labeled "Blanche" can be found in the most lowly position. The artist included herself as the woman and her partner, sculptor Andre Eugene, as the man in those anchor positions. The other models are artists and artisans from Port-au-Prince. 

Gordon references Renaissance paintings and styles in her portraits. The elaborate costumes were created by Haitian craftspeople, as were the signs identifying the color of each individual. The very pregnant Mamelouque in Gordon's work recalls Jan Van Eyck's "Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife." In addition to a nod to Renaissance mores, this choice provides a sly allusion to the reason for the changing composition of bloodlines over time. To see a better image of Gordon's work, click here. 

"Strange Fruit" by Noah Purifoy (2022)

While on the topic of racism, Noah Purifoy's "Strange Fruit" provides a stark commentary. It's hard to see in the picture, but the top of the work is made from feathers. The shape is reminiscent of a human torso. The can hanging down from the work contains not paint but tar. I'm thinking you can see where this is going. 

Purifoy didn't become a part of the art world until after his 40th birthday; he was 50 when he began making the assemblages for which he is best known. The Watts Riots provided Purifoy with the inspiration for nearly 50 sculptures. The riots also provided him with the materials from which his assemblages would be made. Fellow educator and activist Judson Powell joined him in scavenging through the detritus after the fires had ebbed and things had settled down. Together, they collected nearly three tons of found objects for use in the creation of artwork. The "junk art" produced by Purifoy, Powell and several other artists from these materials were exhibited at an installation entitled "66 Signs of Neon." For more on that project, click here.

Although created decades later, "Strange Fruit" bears a relationship to Purifoy's post-Watts sculptures. The mixed media work was made after 9/11 when mob violence was once again on his mind. The title is taken from the Billy Holiday song that goes, in part, "Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze/Strange Fruit hanging from the poplar trees..."  For more on Purifoy, including info about his Museum of Assemblage in Joshua Tree National Park, click here. 

"Naomi Looking Forward #2" by Mickalene Thomas (2016)

Mickalene Thomas' work always catches my eye, and "Naomi Looking Forward #2" was no exception. The "Naomi" in the painting is, of course, supermodel Naomi Campbell. Thomas employs her trademark collage style (which includes rhinestones) in her portrayal of Naomi. This approach allows her to reference both Naomi's status as a supermodel and her more humble beginnings. Features like the linoleum and wood veneer paneling recall Campbell's childhood home while the zebra fabrics reflect Campbell's more modern sense of style. But then there's the awkward way in which Campbell is sitting and the white legs protruding from her dress. What's that all about? Thomas is referencing the famous painting "Grand Odalisque" by Ingres. Instead of portraying a captive woman, though, Thomas depicts a strong female in charge of her own life.  

You might have noticed this work is identified as #2. Thomas frequently creates multiple versions of the same image. To see her first "Naomi Looking Forward," click here. And for the Norton's educator guide on "Naomi Looking Forward #2," click here. What a great resource for thinking about a work of art for kids and adults alike! To explore more of Thomas' work, click here. 

"From a Close Distance" by Marc Dennis (2021)

Speaking of references to famous paintings, there was also Marc Dennis' "From a Close Distance." There's no hiding the fact that this work features a famous painting. Dennis' faithful reproduction of "The Princesse de Broglie" by Ingres is front and center. 

"From a Close Distance" was one of a series of hyperrealistic paintings included in a show entitled "Love in the Time of Corona." As you've probably surmised, Dennis created this series during his time of pandemic isolation. The sad background story to "The Princesse de Broglie" makes the painting a relevant choice. The Princesse died of tuberculosis when she was just 35. Her husband was so saddened by her death that he kept the portrait draped in fabric and hidden behind a velvet curtain. I can imagine him periodically drawing back the curtain in moments of contemplation as he thought about his wife and the life they might have had. 

Recreating the work of masters has long been a means of study for artists. In this series, Dennis gives viewers a peek into what his studio might have looked like while his paintings are in process. I especially like the brushstrokes as he seeks just the right color for what he's working on at the moment. Click here to see more of Dennis' work from that exhibit. Trust me -- they will make you smile. 

I also encourage you to visit Dennis' website by clicking here. His home page features a wonderful work called "The Joy of Painting." And if you go to the drop down you'll find an unusual heading for a series of ink drawings called "A$$holes on Cellphones." I am liking this artist more by the minute. 

While there's more I'd like to share from the Norton, our stop there was just the first of several during our three day art adventure in South Florida. The bus trip (gasp!) was organized by The Algonquin Club, an informal group of art lovers who've been enjoying twice yearly art trips for more than 20 years. ("Algonquin" is an acronym for art lovers going on new quests using intellectual networking. I'm not sure about the "intellectual" part, but the rest is pretty accurate.) You can probably tell that I loved it. 

Next up: Fun and games at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.