The Chemistry Of Color

The Columbia Museum of Art celebrates its 60th anniversary by hosting a major exhibition of art by contemporary African-American artist and its accompanying catalogue chronicle the accomplishments and the struggles of these artists in the latter half of the 20th century with approximately 72 works by 41 artists including Moe Booker, James Brantley, Charles Searles, Sam Gilliam, Romare Bearde, Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold and Betye Saar. The lively form and exuberant color of the works - paintings. sculpture, works on paper and textiles - showcase diverse styles from portraying scenes of the African-American culture to abstract realism in which artists were breaking boundaries in terms of style. 

The exhibition comes from PAFA in Philadelphia, known internationally for its collections of 19th and 20th century American paintings, sculptures and works on paper. PAFA received the ARCO Chemical Company Collection from Harold and Ann Sorgento which can be traced to the early 1980s when ARCO Chemical Company underwent a period of tremendous growth committed to diversity; the Philadelphia-based company formed an art collection that reflected a culture of inclusion in the organization.

The exhibition opened on February 5, 2010 through May 5, 2010.

Softback. 96 pp.