Local standout Raymond Saunders receives recognition at Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh ceremony
Title: Shining a Light on the Forgotten Pioneer: Raymond Saunders at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Hear ye, hear ye! Welcome to the captivating tale of Raymond Saunders, a Pittsburgh-born artist with an extraordinary career that spans over six decades. The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, under the guidance of its fearless director, Eric Crosby, is illuminating this hidden gem through their latest exhibition, "Raymond Saunders: Flowers from a Black Garden", running until July 13, 2025. Let's dive in!
Saunders, a recipient of elusive accolades like the Rome Prize Fellowship (1964) and two National Endowment for the Arts Awards (1977 and 1984), has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, creating breathtaking masterpieces that can be found in prestigious institutions such as the Carnegie, the National Gallery, MoMA, and the Met. But his name hasn't resonated nationally as it should. Why? Well, he's been somewhat shrouded in obscurity because of his geographical proximity to the New York art scene, choosing instead to make Oakland his home in the early 1960s.
Crosby, with unwavering passion, has taken it upon himself to bring this unheralded artist into the limelight. If you've ever wondered if art could be complex, unsettling, and empowering all at once, then Saunders' work is just what the doctor ordered.
Saunders' Pittsburgh roots run deep, forging connections with the Carnegie Museum of Art that were instrumental in shaping his artistic journey. He participated in their Saturday art classes for young people, learning from mentors who also guided the likes of Andy Warhol and Philip Pearlstein. The Museum's prestigious Carnegie International, a global contemporary art survey, exposed Saunders to avant-garde painting early on. These exhibitions were his window into the world of radical abstraction, inspiring him to explore his own unique style.
Crosby emphasizes that the Museum's mission resonates with Saunders' life and work: "As a young person, he learned how to become an artist in the halls of the Museum, learned from the Museum's collection." This connection makes the exhibition all the more special, as it not only showcases Saunders' art but also reflects the Museum's commitment to nurturing future generations of artists.
The title of the exhibition, "Flowers from a Black Garden", underscores floral imagery that runs consistently throughout Saunders' work. His love for flowers transcends the mundane, symbolizing beauty, love, and transformation within his paintings. The vibrant colors and fluid shapes found in Saunders' art evolve like real flowers, growing and adapting as the artist continues to experiment and innovate over the years.
Saunders' innovative approach to art is evident in his improvisational style, characterized by continual revisions, additions, and collaborations. He has even incorporated children's drawings into his collages, embracing a dynamic process that resists the notion of a completed masterpiece. The 35 works displayed in this exhibition demonstrate the depth and breadth of Saunders' artistic journey, featuring large-scale pieces filled with references to Black history, urban life, jazz, pop culture, and, of course, Pittsburgh.
Though the works might not appear overtly political at first glance, they serve as subtle commentaries on society and culture, particularly during Saunders' time in Oakland, a hotbed of social movements.
"I am not responsible for anyone's entertainment. I am responsible for being as fully myself, as man and artist, as I possibly can be," Saunders wrote in 1967. These words echo throughout his artistic career, as he courageously navigated the often uncharted waters of abstract expressionism and cultural identity.
Prepare yourself to be moved, challenged, and inspired. Don't miss your chance to catch the captivating artistry of Raymond Saunders at the Carnegie Museum of Art while you still can. This pioneering artist deserves all the admiration and recognition that his incredible career has earned. Let's celebrate his commitment to art, his unwavering authenticity, and his undeniable talent by opening our minds and hearts to the beauty and complexity of his work. Flowers from a Black Garden, indeed.
Sources:1. Enrichment Data: Raymond Saunders2. The New Yorker: Who Was Raymond Saunders?3. The Carnegie Museum of Art: Press Release4. Historical perspectives on Black Abstraction
- Raymond Saunders, with an impressive resume boasting awards from prestigious institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rome Prize, has been a consistent presence in esteemed art museums such as the Carnegie, the National Gallery, MoMA, and the Met, despite being relatively unknown nationally.
- The Guggenheim's Eric Crosby has taken an active role in introducing the unheralded artist to a wider audience with the Carnegie Museum of Art's current exhibition, "Raymond Saunders: Flowers from a Black Garden."
- By integrating various influences from African American history, urban life, jazz, pop culture, and Pittsburgh into his artwork, Saunders educates viewers about societal and cultural complexities while inspiring a unique lifestyle in his home-and-garden-like vibrant and fluid creations.
- Fitzpatrick, as a future artist, will be nurtured under the guidance of institutions like the Carnegie Museum of Art, emulating Raymond Saunders' journey, as he once did, paving the way for new generations of artists who dare to shine a light on forgotten pioneers.