Smokehouse Associates

In the late 1960s, the public art collective Smokehouse Associates transformed Harlem with vibrant abstract murals and sculptures, creating a significant impact on the community. This book provides the first critical examination of their work, exploring their ambitious scale, community engagement, and interaction with the built environment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

A captivating exploration of the groundbreaking public art collective Smokehouse Associates, whose abstract works left an indelible mark on New York's Harlem community during the late 1960s.

Between 1968 and 1970, the artist collective Smokehouse Associates breathed new life into Harlem with a series of vibrant, community-oriented abstract murals and sculptures. Founded by William T. Williams and comprising Melvin Edwards, Guy Ciarcia, and Billy Rose, Smokehouse expanded to include a diverse range of creative practitioners who were united by their belief in the transformative power of public art. While their contributions may be relatively lesser-known today, Smokehouse was audacious in its scale, commitment to community engagement, and interaction with the built environment.

Published more than fifty years after the collective's inception, Smokehouse Associates offers the first comprehensive critical examination of their work. Authored by Eric Booker, the book provides a historical overview of the collective, while Charles Davis II and James Trainor delve into the contextual histories of public art, urban design, and architecture. Additionally, an artist roundtable moderated by Ashley James features critical reflections from the participating artists.

Packed with previously unpublished images and ephemera, as well as a comprehensive chronology, Smokehouse Associates serves as a valuable resource that expands the narrative of public art and social practice in the United States. By highlighting the contributions of artists of African descent, the book sheds light on a previously overlooked chapter of artistic history.

Distributed by The Studio Museum in Harlem, this captivating exploration of Smokehouse Associates' legacy is a testament to the power of art to shape communities and inspire change.

Weight: 1198g
Dimension: 203 x 275 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300267204