Wendell Brooks: A Retrospective

Available Traveling Exhibition from The College of New Jersey
March 2009-May 2012
$2,000 for 8 weeks

                 Blue Lady		                       Homage to John Philip               A Woman Waits for Me
                                                                          Sousa

EXHIBITION DESCRIPTION:
This exhibit highlights the life work of printmaker Wendell Brooks, a longtime resident of Trenton, New Jersey and recently retired professor at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Brooks has donated a significant body of work to TCNJ, and in January of 2009, TCNJ will mount a retrospective exhibition that will then travel nationally. Throughout Wendell Brooks’ career, from his early photographs of poor black farmers in the American south to his current African inspired prints, Brooks has explored his own position within the African diaspora and the experience of black America.

Brooks describes his earliest work as “much different, more realistic, and ... categorized as black protest art.” The exhibit opens with four photographs the artist took in the late1960s. Both aesthetically and politically, the photos are rooted in the tradition of the Farm Security Administration. With the exception of Gordon Parks, white photographers largely made the FSA images. Brooks’s early work reflects an embrace of the newly found black pride of the era and an understanding of the imperative for black Americans to take charge of their own representation. The realism and overt political narrative of these early photographs is reflected in his printmaking of the same era.

From his earliest prints to his current work, Brook’s invented subjects are strong of body and mind. His art’s characters travel the continent of Africa as well as the American landscape. He layers history, language, and spirituality upon his vibrant black, green and orange figures. To these iconographic images, Brooks further layers sports and fitness, music, the animal world, dance, and color theory. Brooks’ later work is a “celebration of life,” culture and personal strength. The full exhibit presents a dynamic visual vocabulary that spans the artist’s career and pulls from all the diverse locations that build his personal identity.

His current methodology developed over years of practice includes multiple steps, and his preparatory drawings and stencils are significant works in and of themselves. He cuts detailed stencils with a handmade tool, and then prints many tests until he creates a unique artist’s proof that meets his high standards. This retrospective exhibition is a strong sampling of work from a consistent and dedicated late career African-American artist. His work is significant to conversations about black identity as his characters strive to develop a fit or “whole” self.

The quality of the photographs and prints are exceptional and arrive onsite framed, wired and ready for installation. The artist is available for artist talks and the opening reception.

EXHIBITION REQUIREMENTS:
The show consists of 4 photographs and 26 original artist’s prints. Host gallery must provide a minimum “exhibition running feet” of 900’ wall space. Additionally, the host gallery must provide shipping, insurance and security in transit and on-site.

BIOGRAPHIES

    ARTIST Wendell Brooks: Now retired, Brooks taught at TCNJ for more than 36 years. He holds an MFA in Printmaking from Indiana University. His prints are in the permanent collection at the Library of Congress, the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institution, and the Macedonian Center of Contemporary Art (Greece) and he has exhibited his work internationally. He served on several committees of New Jersey's State Council of the Arts. Brooks’ work is inspired by explorations in self-discovery, as well as cultural diversity.
    He lives in Trenton, NJ.
    CURATOR Sarah Cunningham, Director, The College Art Gallery, TCNJ: During her career, Cunningham has curated over 20 exhibitions and provided administrative support for many more. Prior to her appointment at TCNJ, she worked as the director of programs for the Worcester Center for Crafts and served as the neighborhood artist-in-residence for the Woonsoocket Neighborhood Development Corporation, the curator of exhibitions and public programs at the Alice Austen House Museum and executive director of the Albany Center Galleries. She received her BA in American Studies from Tufts University and her MFA in Art Photography from Syracuse University.

CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS:
To reserve this exhibition, the site must enter a contractual relationship with TCNJ and submit a $1,000 non-refundable deposit. When publicity/print materials arrive, 5 weeks before installation, the site must provide the additional $1,000 to TCNJ. Finally, after the show is installed, a third check is due but only if there are optional services and materials added.

Support Materials
TCNJ provides disk copy of the following exhibition materials: labels, exhibition titles, artist statement (printed materials, ready to install in exhibition space are available for an additional $400). TCNJ will also provide disk copy of the postcard template (four color/one color) and sample press release.