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African-American History
Painted Voices
by Gilbert Fletcher
Painted Voices is a series of portraits of twenty of the most
celebrated African-American writers in history. After having read
most of their works, heard many of the featured artists read
their works live and after spending countless hours researching each writer,
Mr. Fletcher has effectively captured the character and passion of each
writer in his works.
For several years I explored the possibility of creating a series of paintings
of my favorite writers. Developing this visual reference of literary
figures would also serve as a great starting point for educating people
wanting an introduction to African-American literature. I also wanted
the works to be, not mere portraits, but images incorporating symbols that
would identify the writer. In some instances, incorporating circumstances
and challenges that writers sometimes are faced with in their personal
lives -- their fears, struggles and ultimately, their courage and success.
My research became more extensive than I first imagined. I attended
live readings, collected and read books and filled eight large notebooks
with newspaper articles and other materials. I listened to many of
their interviews on radio and TV. After going through all the materials
I has amassed, it became clear to me what some of their personal challenges
were. In addition to their passion for writing, their desires and fears,
they sometimes risked their reputations as writers for causes in which
they believed. It became clear to me just how often they struggled and
fought to gain a respectable voice in the world of literature as writers,
scholars, poets, critics, historians and playwrights.
It is my desire, through Painted Voices, to present an extended
view of writing and literature, in addition to the changes that occur during
the rise of a prominent literary figure. Painted Voices explores
all sides of Black writers, and is intended to give the viewer a complete
understanding of each writer, their writing and how much they are connected
to life's struggles and the struggles endured by Black people in America.
Their story is our story; their history is our history. Their works reflect
a very minute piece of the puzzle of race, integration, segregation, class
and justice.
The series begins appropriately with Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance
poet, novelist, playwright and essayist whose poem, The Negro Speaks of
Rivers, reflects a theme that runs through the works of many African-American
writers and takes on many different forms.
Hughes' "River" is a metaphor for the pain, despair, sorrow and struggle
endured by the black race. It flows into a river of fire, freedom
and revolution. As it turns and flows into a river of Black consciousness,
it becomes joy, hope and spirit. This is a river of song, of culture, of
community. This river flows with words that fight against oppression and
destructive stereotypes. Hughes' river incorporates folklore, jazz, the
blues as it tracks our culture. This river is Mother Africa, Harlem, Watts,
Birmingham, Mississippi and Detroit. From our ancestors it courses through
our veins into our consciousness and emerges as truth - this river
is our "Painted Voices."
 Gilbert
Fletcher is an artist currently living in New York City. He has exhibited
widely throughout the country, in among other places: The Brooklyn Museum,
The Museum of Science and Technology in Chicago, IL, The Museum of African
American Art, Wilberforce, OH, Hampton University Museum, Museum of Afro-American
Art Boston, the Silvermine School of the Arts in New Canaan, CT and the
New Orleans Museum of Art. Mr. Fletcher has also exhibited widely in galleries
such as the Cinque Gallery in New York, Delgado Community College, Dillard
University, Gallery 500 Washington, DC, Chi-Wara Gallery Atlanta and the
Darian Public Library.
Mr. Fletcher's paintings have been published in: African
American Artists: The Long Struggle, by Crystal Britton; the Leah Chase
Cookbook; Chesapeake Song, by Brenda Lane Richardson; 1991 Elle Magazine;
Tom Dent's Magnolia Street and several Prentice Hall Literature publications.
Requests to exhibit Painted Voices must be made in writing.
Please specify dates and duration of exhibition:
Gilbert Fletcher
4631 Richardson Avenue
Bronx, NY 10470
fax - 212-965-9191
To enter THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's gallery of Painted Voices, simply
click onto the writer of your choice. There you will find an image of the
original painting in addition to a biographical sketch of the writer. We
welcome your feedback,
and will forward your comments to the artist.
It gives us a great deal of pleasure to present to you
Gilbert Fletcher's Painted Voices
Simply click on the name of the Painted Voice you'd like
to view:
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