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 December 10 through January 31 at the Hayti heritage center 804 Old
Fayetteville Street, Durham North Carolina with an opening reception on
December 12, 2009. What a way to end the year and start anew year with
one of the twentieth century’s entertaining and exuberant artist.
Eric Kelly III expressionistic style and tradition was significantly,
changed in 1975 with a series of drawings and paintings in the late 19th
century. His style and art was recognized during his senior year at
hillside high school. One of the earliest and most famous examples of
his style, expressionism is Kelly’s first show "The Women of Dreams
series. A pencil series that brought both excitement and notoriety to
his unique style of art to the city of Durham. It cannot be denied that
a great many teachers of this period assumed that the chief function of
his art was to express his intense feelings to the world.
The African American painter and pastelist dealt with different fears
and emotions that capture his journey and imagination of expressions.
Kelly’s Expressionism later gained significance between years 1979 and
1999 during a politically and culturally turbulent era of revelation of
the profoundly problematic conditions of the turn-of-the-century in
America.
In the years just around 1980 the expressionistic approach pioneered by
Mr. Kelly was developed in to a broader range of pieces that include
abstract and impressionism. The style was later labeled abstract
expressionism. Abstract expressionism was a specifically African
American art movement. It was the first African American movement to
achieve worldwide influence and also the one that put New York City at
the center of the art world, a role formerly filled by Paris.
Kelly introduced an ART DVD, LINES, and SHAPES AND COLORS. Know too
many in the city of Durham as the MAN On the Spot. A TV show he hosted,
produced by the late Jim fields for over twenty years. The show covered
events from North Carolina to the Bahamas.
Eric began to explore color, expression and shape and to paint an entire
canvas with images of the page in orange or blues and browns. These
works were produced in an extremely specific way that made the audience
wonder with imagination. His works always revealed a specific attitude.
It was the result of the rivalry and dialogue between his art and
emotion as a young African American. In the early days Eric’s first
works had an image of being rebellious and historic black slavery
motivated. His later pieces began to capture the essence of human
emotion.
It is seen as his works combined the emotional intensity and
self-expression of the African American northern Expressionists with the
anti-figurative aesthetic of the Southern African American abstract
schools... Mr. Kelly embraced abstract expressionism and created his own
relationship with this sensitive yet explosive art form.
Eric Kelly III an artist who studied the Expressionist and the abstract
period and continued to illustrate and paint in this most necessary
median. His significant drawings and painting were done in acrylic
and pastel and his paintings are stored in his Art gallery in Durham
North Carolina.
The Obama collection a new art collection that is on tour
around the county stops in downtown Durham!
Barack Obama has returned to blue coffee café in Durham!
Yes the 44 president as you probably have never seen him before. The
show began Monday February 15th and it is a must see exhibit
in Durham. The show will be on exhibit from February 15 through April
15th, at 202 North Corcoran Street in the black Wall Street
district in downtown Durham. The show is truly the talk of the town and
a show that home town artist Eric Kelly III has sent may hours on to
present the different emotions of Barack Obama. There will be an Art
reception held at Blue Coffee Café’ on March 6, 2010 from 6pm to 10:00pm
with live jazz, choirs and corporate speakers. Please RSVP to
erickellyiii@yahoo.com,
the reception is free and open to the public.
Blue coffee cafe’ introduces its own signature blend of
coffee to Durham along with the Obama collection in its gallery. Barack
Obama stopped by in May 2009 for a cup of coffee and a slice of pound
cake during his election campaign. The many paintings and illustration
are dedicated to his victory and him becoming Americas’ first African
American President.
Still to date people line up for Blue coffee café’s
espresso coffees, the cafe's soup of the day, it’s fresh chicken wraps
and the famous red velvet cake. The blue coffee café is truly a jewel
in the center of downtown Durham and has a rich tradition of great food
and great service worldwide. The current owner, Gwen Mathews, bought
the business three years ago and has brought new excitement to downtown
with the many planed events. Located on Corcoran and Parrish, the cafe
is open during the week from seven to seven and on Saturdays from nine
to three. The interior is spacious and includes its own blue coffee
gallery. The next eight week artist Eric Kelly III will be featured in
its gallery.
Obama the face of change show has every one downtown
Durham talking. Many asking how long did it take to paint forty
pictures, why a show about Barack Obama and how long the collection will
be in Durham! Well Eric explained “the show was a show that my mother
came up with. I was asked to do an art history show at the Lyda
Merrick gallery” and while I was drawing my mother asking me to include
just three pictures of President Obama in the show, she later asked for
forty four to dedicate to the forty fourth presidents. I thought what a
great idea and thus the show was born”!
In one window of the downtown Durham coffee shop there
is a poster with the words "Obama the face of change Art show! Hanging
inside are forty four paintings of the 44 president Barack Obama. Gwen
Mathews who saw the show in the Hayti heritage center fell in love with
the show and had to have it to open in her new gallery in February
during black history month. In another window there is a sign that read
spectacular, breathtaking and unbelievable which is what people of all
ages are saying about the show! With blue coffee’s high ceilings and
large windows the art is showcased both inside and outside. The café is
use by both city planner, city councilman and business owners, who find
the café a change of pace and a place to relax. The staff is not only
happy they work there they embrace the idea of great customer service.
Blue Coffee customers are loyal and they show it by
making this café one of the finest restaurant and galleries in Durham
downtown. Every day there is never a dull moment people come from all
over the city to eat and visit, sit and read or tour the gallery. For
those that missed the show at the Hayti heritage center in January here
is a chance to see it up close and in person. One of the greatest art
shows in the history of North Carolina. You don’t want to miss this
great opportunity to see a show that features both abstract and
expressionist artwork by one of Durham’s native son. For more
information, show lectures and exhibits call 919-308-9090 or visit the
web site
www.kellyworldwide.com
By Crystal Williams
BUY POSTER WITH OVER 45 IMAGES click for
details
BUY POSTER
WITH OVER 45 IMAGES click for details
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