Whitfield Lovell: Passages

Whitfield Lovell is a conceptual artist who creates exquisite drawings inspired by his collection of vintage photographs of unidentied African Americans. He pairs his drawings with found objects to create enigmatic assemblages and tableaux that evoke personal memories, ancestral connections, and the collective American past. This volume features essays by leading scholars that contextualize Lovell's work through the exploration of sound and card playing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications

Whitefield Lovell is a renowned artist known for his captivating conte crayon drawings, assemblages, and multi-sensory installations that delve into aspects of Black history, sparking profound questions about identity, memory, and America's collective heritage. Born in 1959 in the Bronx, Lovell is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, a recognition of his artistic brilliance. His artistic journey is deeply rooted in his personal collection of vintage photographs of unidentied African Americans, spanning from the Emancipation Proclamation to the civil rights movement. Through his meticulous drawings, executed on paper or salvaged wooden boards, Lovell weaves a tapestry of personal memories, ancestral connections, and the rich tapestry of American history.

In his creations, Lovell seamlessly combines his finely detailed drawings with found objects, creating enigmatic assemblages and standalone tableaux that are brimming with symbolism and ambiguity. These works evoke a range of emotions, from personal nostalgia to broader reflections on collective identity. This beautifully illustrated volume features insightful essays by esteemed scholars who provide a contextual framework for Lovell's work. Through their exploration of compelling elements such as sound and card playing, they contemplate memory as a method, shedding light on the profound ways in which Lovell's art engages with the complexities of human experience.

Whitefield Lovell's artistic vision transcends traditional boundaries, challenging viewers to explore the depths of their own identities and the collective history of America. His masterful use of color, texture, and composition creates a visual language that is both accessible and profound, inviting us to engage with the past and contemplate the future through the lens of his remarkable art.

Dimension: 292 x 235 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780847872992