Thoughts and Feelings: History Refused to Die

History Refused to Die - an exhibit that lives up to its name

History Refused to Die - an exhibit that lives up to its name

I went to the Met to see the "History Refused to Die" - an exhibit of highlights from the Souls Grow Deep Foundation gift that the Met received several years ago and is now showcasing...and not a moment too soon. It is about time that these amazing works have their day in the Met gallery. There is simplicity and nuance, vibrancy and melancholy; and for anyone who grew up in the deep south, there are all the hallmarks of history - as clear as the name of the exhibit would suggest. 

All of the artists on display in the exhibit were self-taught. My own childhood in Lexington, Mississippi taught me the value of art and the need to strive for self-education. It is easy to lament the lack of formal art education in my youth, but I believe that my skills today are more personally mine from my own artistic journey. These works overflow with that very personal expression.

I encourage anyone who has the chance to go see it before it closes on September 23rd!

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The End of November: The Birds That Didn't Learn How to Fly by Thornton Dial  The painting references the black birds of the South who remained behind while relatives made the Great Migrations North.

The End of November: The Birds That Didn't Learn How to Fly by Thornton Dial 

The painting references the black birds of the South who remained behind while relatives made the Great Migrations North.

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Four Hundred Years of Free Labor by Joe Minter The name says it all - rusted tools stand at attention, hauntingly displayed to throw stark long shadows against the dark dusty blue gallery wall.

Four Hundred Years of Free Labor by Joe Minter

The name says it all - rusted tools stand at attention, hauntingly displayed to throw stark long shadows against the dark dusty blue gallery wall.

History Refused to Die by Thornton Dial  The namesake of this exhibit earns its place - massive, imposing, and dark. The tattered and stained fabrics, okra stalks painted in pan-African colors rise up like an unattainable gate in the middle

History Refused to Die by Thornton Dial 

The namesake of this exhibit earns its place - massive, imposing, and dark. The tattered and stained fabrics, okra stalks painted in pan-African colors rise up like an unattainable gate in the middle of the gallery.

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Taking it all in amidst the quilts

Taking it all in amidst the quilts

Medallion Quilt by Loretta Pettway The brightly-colored quilt stands proud at the entrance to the exhibit. This and other housetop quilts display the most practical and graphic works of art in the exhibit. I drew inspiration from this particular

Medallion Quilt by Loretta Pettway

The brightly-colored quilt stands proud at the entrance to the exhibit. This and other housetop quilts display the most practical and graphic works of art in the exhibit. I drew inspiration from this particular piece for a recent color story.

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Parron Allen