Have you ever wished you could sit down with a great-grandfather and ask him about the past? What was it like then? How did his home town look and feel?
And wouldn’t it be wonderful if that grandfather was not just a charming and kindly presence, but also a “born” educator — even an artist?
Evidence of such an individual is apparent right now at Venvi Art Gallery where four series of etchings and graphite drawings by famed artist, teacher, and engraver, Leon Hicks are on display. There will be an art reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 5.
Hicks, has taught at FAMU, Webster University, Concord University and has pieces in the permanent collections of many public and private institutions, among them, University of Florida, Atlanta University, Tuskegee Institute, and the Library of Congress.
From March 1-April 28, the works of the 91-year-old artist will portray his impressions of his childhood in, “Drawings Through Time.” Here each series, “American Boy,” “Iconic Capers,” “My Home Town,” and “Untitled Sketches,” invites the viewer to picture different aspects and times of Hicks’ life.
In “My Hometown,” we see the grandeur of Greco-Roman architecture in some of the public buildings Hicks remembers from his youth in Gainesville. They made an impression on the young African American boy, reminding him of the “permanence and stature” of the United States…despite the fact there were still wagons and horses on the streets.
Rather than rendering totally realistic views of the buildings, in this series Hicks’ works are what may be called, “synthetic cubism,” as layers of building sketches are placed one atop another giving the impression of a collage.
Rachel Smith, Venvi Art Gallery manager, says that in discussions with Hicks, he told her that though he no longer does etchings, he is still creating themed series using his own patented monoprint method. “Iconic Capers” is an example. Here he has drawn on mylar paper, burnished it with a graphic stick marker and Elmer’s Glue, and transferred the images to hyper-thin Thai Unryu paper. The translucent fibrous strands add yet another dimension.
Most people are familiar with the iconic etching created in 1961 by Leon Hicks, titled simply, “Black Boy.” Now, in his 2023 series, “American Boy” at the Venvi Gallery, Smith ponders if we are seeing a kind of “predecessor” to Black Boy in the expressive postures and movements of the figures. She says he feels he was born “an American boy” before anything else or any other title was given.”
Smith notes that “not many people Hicks’ age are as lively and energetic as he is when he talks about his works. The passion he has for the subject matter is evident.” Smith says that, “He may have retired from teaching roughly 20 years ago, but he is still an educator at heart.”
If you go
What: Art Exhibition: “Drawings Through Time” by Leon Hicks
When: Art reception from 5-8 p.m. April 5; exhibit runs through April 28. Hours: Wed.-Sun. 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Venvi Art Gallery, 2901 E. Park, Suite 2800, 850-322-0968; visit venviartgallery.com
