On View presents images from noteworthy exhibitions
CHARTING THE EVOLUTION of Wadsworth Jarrell‘s practice, “Come Saturday Punch” presents more than two-dozen works spanning 55 years. One of five original co-founders of AfriCOBRA, the collective established in Chicago in 1968, Jarrell has maintained a unique visual voice throughout his career. True to, but unbound by, the collective’s focus on presenting positive uplifting images of the black community, his vibrant “cool-ade”-colored work blends abstraction and figuration, often incorporates lettering and, most importantly, is driven by his individual expression and personal experiences. Pivotal figures in African American history are often referenced and musical influences, particularly jazz, are present. The survey features paintings, round-shaped and assembled mixed-media works, watercolors, and sculpture dating from 1959 to 2014. “Revolutionary” (1972), his well-known print paying tribute to Angela Davis, is on view with “Day of the Kings” (1995), a 16-part sculptural installation, and several works made nearly a decade before AfriCOBRA was formed. Born in Albany, Ga., Jarrell lives and works in Cleveland. His work is also featured in the traveling show “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power,” currently at The Broad in Los Angeles, and the exhibition “AFRICOBRA: Nation Time” at Ca’ Faccanon, San Marco in Venice, an official collateral event at this year’s 58th Venice Biennale.CT
“Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch” is on view at Kavi Gupta Gallery, 219 N. Elizabeth Street in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019
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WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Cockfight,” 1965
(oil on canvas
, 40 x 52 x 3 in
ches / 101.6 x 132.1 x 7.6 cm).
| Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
Installation view of “Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch,” Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019. | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Portrait of Jae,” 1966
(oil on canvas
, 29 x 20 x 3/4 in
ches / 73.7 x 50.8 x 1.8 cm
). | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Mackin’ the Game,” 1959
(oil on canvas,
28 x 22 x 1 in
ches / 71.1 x 55.9 x 2.5 cm).
| Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “I Remember Bill,” 1995
(acrylic, canvas, and wood
, 69 x 72 x 4 inches /
175.3 x 182.9 x 10.2 cm).
| Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
Installation view of “Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch,” Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019. | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Come Saturday,” 1959
(watercolor and ink on paper,
43 x 32 inches /
109.2 x 81.3 cm
). | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Mile and a Quarter,”
(oil on canvas
, 70 x 124 x 2 in
ches / 177.8 x 315 x 5.1 cm).
| Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
Installation view of “Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch,” Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019. Shown in foreground, “Day of the Kings,” 1995
(acrylic, wood, and canvas,
71 x 10 x 10 inches each, 16 total
/ 180.3 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm, each).
| Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Extolling a Djwoke Headdress,” 1993
(acrylic, wood, and canvas
, 87 x 37 x 17 inches /
221 x 94 x 43.2 cm
). | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
Detail of WADSWORTH JARRELL, “Eye of Eternity,” 2000
(acrylic, canvas, and wood,
48 x 38 x 3 in
ches / 121.9 x 96.5 x 7.6 cm). | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
Installation view of “Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch,” Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019. Shown at left, “Eternity,” 2000
(acrylic, canvas, and wood,
48 x 38 x 3 in
ches / 121.9 x 96.5 x 7.6 cm). | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
TOP IMAGE: Installation view of “Wadsworth Jarrell: Come Saturday Punch,” Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, July 13-Aug. 3, 2019. | Photo by John Lusis, Courtesy the Artist and Kavi Gupta
BOOKSHELF
“Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power” documents the landmark exhibition featuring work by more than 60 artists, including Wadsworth Jarrell. Published by Pomegranate, “Wadsworth Jarrell: The Artist As Revolutionary” by Robert L. Douglas explores the life and work of Jarrell. “AFRICOBRA: Experimental Art toward a School of Thought,” a forthcoming volume, is scheduled to be published next year.
