George Dunbar, the world-renowned Slidell artist whose works were shown in New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the British Museum of Art, died at his St. Tammany parish home on Friday. He was 96.
Dunbar’s death was confirmed by the City of Slidell, and Mayor Greg Comer said in a statement that the city has lost “a true American legend.”
“Dunbar was not only a talented artist, he was a generous man who loved his family, friends and community,” Cromer wrote. “I was honored to call him my friend.”
Dunbar was known for his contemporary pieces and contribution to the expansion of southeast Louisiana’s arts community. The Whitney Museum of American Art has one of his collages in its permanent collection, and locally, two of Dunbar’s pieces grace the entryway of the Four Seasons hotel.
Dunbar was born in New Orleans and fought in World War II. He returned to the states to attend Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, where he learned from Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline. After a brief stint in New York City, he came home in the 1950s.
Dunbar opened a gallery in the French Quarter and then expanded his career to include land development, moving his family to the northshore, where he became known for his contributions to the local arts scene and work as a community advocate.
All the while, he continued to create his art. In an interview with the Times-Picayune in 2022, he said: “I haven’t done my best work yet. I’m experimenting all the time. You should always be trying to do better.”
Officials dedicated a gallery at the Slidell Cultural Center to Dunbar, naming it the George Dunbar Gallery in 2022. A citywide George Dunbar Day is celebrated every April 21.
“Our city is a better place because of all of Mr. Dunbar’s contributions to our community,” Comer said.
Check back for more on this developing story.
