Come to the John Natsoulas Gallery to enjoy the unique exhibition of artwork by Larry Clark, Clarence Major, Kevin Snipes, and Ira Watkins. Four for the Figure is an examination of the unique styles that each of these artists applies to figurative art.
This exhibition offers a unique chance to see paintings and some ceramics by artists from diverse backgrounds. Their artistic greatly diverge, but they have a passion for telling stories through a focus on the figure. Larry Clark grew up in Louisiana but moved to San Francisco in 1987 where he drew and painted at the Hospitality House’s Community Arts Program. Against all odds, including poverty, disease, and institutionalized violence, he never stopped making art. His paintings explore imagery of Black legacy, with a distinctive style rooted in the intricacies of his drawings. Clarence Major is a critically acclaimed author, poet, and painter whose subjects range from communities gathering in bustling streets to pensive, powerful women, donning myriads of patterns and colors. As for Kevin Snipes, he is a brilliant ceramist and painter who has exhibited nationally and internationally. In a variety of media, he crafts narratives intended to confront discrimination through the adoption of a sophisticated, illustrative approach. Then, there is the activist responsible for the stunning mural of Martin Luther King in Waco, Texas: Ira Watkins. He is a Bay Area resident and self-taught artist whose compositions often portray the African American diaspora in the Bay Area during World War II, and whose scenes commemorate Black compassion. Each artist utilizes a unique aesthetic and their own experiences of art to emphasize narration through distinctive figures.
From February 28 to April 5, visitors can see their art in conversation with one another and discover how each artist uniquely addresses the human form. Paintings by the four showcase the importance of contemporaneous visual arts, music, prose and poetry, and the experiences of participating in American culture as Black artists.
The opening reception will take place at the John Natsoulas Gallery on March 8th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. It will feature live music and free refreshments.
For more information please visit https://www.natsoulas.com/ or call the gallery at 530-756-3938
