“Tumbler” by Sag Harbor’s Reynold Ruffins
By Annette Hinkle
The Levitas Gallery at the Southampton Cultural Center is currently hosting an exhibition featuring an eclectic mix of colorful and intriguing work that runs the gamut of artistic expression, from painting and sculpture to collage and photography.
All of the work on view was created by African American artists who live or work on the East End, for at least part of the year. Among them is abstract painter and sculptor Tina Andrews, the curator of the exhibition, which is titled “Reflections in Black.”
While some of the artists in the show readily have their work shown in galleries beyond the East End, Ms. Andrews feels exhibits like this one are vital because they offer East End artists of color an important, yet often difficult to find, outlet in which they can show their work locally.
“I found there was a need for other black artists to exhibit out here more often,” explains Ms. Andrews. “The opportunity is not always presented to them.”
“All artists struggle to get their work in galleries,” she adds. “It’s like a pyramid, with the artists at the bottom vying for few opportunities at the top.”
But for artists of African American descent, she maintains that making it to the top of that pyramid can be even harder.
“Many galleries will only let one or two black artists show at a time,” explains Ms. Andrews. “But the work of East End artists is fantastic. I think it’s second only to New York City. I felt it would be nice if I saw more people of color or of Hispanic origin, or Native American artists presented in the major galleries out here.”
“When I was given this marvelous opportunity during Black History Month to showcase some of the fabulous talent out here, I leapt at it,” she adds.
This is the second consecutive year Ms. Andrews has curated the African American art exhibit at the Southampton Cultural Center, and this year, in addition to her own work, “Reflections in Black” features art by Rosa Hanna Scott, John Pinderhughes, Reynold Ruffins, Sheril Antonio and Danny Simmons.
“The Bush” by Danny Simmons
“I wanted to make sure to have a range. It’s not just about a black experience,” says Ms. Andrews as she explains how she went about choosing the work, which includes abstract collages by Mr. Simmons, graphic design pieces by Mr. Ruffins and local landscape photography by Ms. Antonio.
“Much of this work could be created by anyone – there’s nothing that says this work is by artists from the African American community,” says Ms. Andrews. “But if you’re coming here to see an exhibit featuring African American artists, it’s important that you at least get a sense of our collective experience.”
To that end, the show also features photographs by Mr. Pinderhughes, a Sag Harbor artist who offers a glimpse of the African experience through imagery featuring the people of Ghana, and several paintings by Ms. Scott which evoke an earlier time in the African American experience.
“We have people who are very innovative in this show. I’m really excited for Reynold Ruffins, I love his work,” says Ms. Andrews. “I feel like a kid in a candy store to be able to present these artists of note and newbies who are getting that opportunity to become more confident in what they do.”
“Untitled” by Rosa Hanna Scott
“It’s the totality of black expression,” explains Ms. Andrews.
In order to have the show up for a longer period of time, Kirsten Lonnie, executive director of the Southampton Cultural Center, invited Ms. Andrews to open the exhibit in January so it could run a full seven weeks.
“I love that and appreciate it,” says Ms. Andrews.
Though Ms. Andrews is thrilled by the opportunity to highlight the work of East End African American artists, she would much prefer it if the need for such a show didn’t exist at all.
“To have this nice space and showcase these fabulous artists who are of color is great. But I’d love to say these are artists — who happen to be black. These are artists — who happen to be women. These are artists — who happen to be over 60.”
“Let’s start out with the artist and then add the other adjectives,” adds Ms. Andrews. “The more the work is showcased, the more we’ll be able to stop having a black art exhibit, and just have an art exhibit.”
“Red Light in Puddle” by Sheril Antonia
“We’re an American melting pot of co-existence. We have our political differences, but we can still be at the same function. For now, we all know there’s one month of the year, the shortest, where we’ll be up on the walls,” she says. “But one day, we’ll get to that place, and have that art show where we’re at the reception with the artists, some of whom will happen to be of color.”
In the meantime, Ms. Andrews is driven to give these East End artists a platform, so that when a gallery does decide to show their work, “it won’t be because a photographer is showing life in Ghana,” she says, “but because it’s just great art you want to show.”
“Reflections in Black” the Southampton Cultural Center’s Black History Month Exhibit runs through March 1, 2015 at the Levitas Gallery. The cultural center is at 25 Pond Lane, Southampton. Call (631) 287-4377 or visit www.scc-arts.org for details.
