January 17, 2010
by April Helms
Special Products Editor
Hudson Hub Times
Selections from artist Jacob Lawence's "The Legend of John Brown" series will be on exhibit at the Akron Art Museum through Feb. 14.
The fall of 2009 was the 150th anniversaries of abolitionist John Brown's anti-slavery raid on Harpers Ferry, Va., a pivotal event in igniting the Civil War, and his Dec. 2, 1859 execution. Brown had homes in both Akron and Hudson. Brown was An expert breeder of sheep and respected authority on wool, and worked for Simon Perkins, Jr., the son of Akron's founder. While working with Perkins, Brown remained an active abolitionist and regularly housed slaves moving through the Underground Railroad in his Akron home. Now part of the Summit County Historical Society, his home has a permanent display about Brown's life.
Lawrence, one of the most significant American artists of the 20th century, was the first African American to depict the story of the controversial white abolitionist, said Barbara Tannenbaum, director of curatorial affairs.
"It's interesting he doesn't seem to come down on one side or another [on Brown's actions,]" Tannenbaum said. "He leaves you with the facts of the controversies. Obviously there is a great deal of sympathy to the cause but the violence is depicted as scary and warlike. The last image is Brown hanging from a noose."
Lawrence's screenprints frame the story as a narrative, which is the depiction of a particular story in either painted or graphic form, Tannenbaum said. Each image presents a specific incident in Brown's dramatic life. Rather than depicting these events in a realistic manner, Lawrence tells the story using sparse details rendered with simplified forms and vibrant colors.
Brown believed that militant actions were the only way to end slavery, according to information provided by the museum. In the mid-1850s, he organized covert attacks in an attempt to liberate slaves and bring down the pro-slavery establishment. In 1859, with a company of 21 men -- white and black -- he led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry. He was captured and hanged for treason.
"He was the person whose actions really helped start the Civil War," Tannenbaum said. "His cause was certainly just -- the abolishment of slavery. The controversy lives in the means he chose to pursue."
Museum information
The Akron Art Museum is at One South High in downtown Akron.
Gallery and store hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Adult general admission is $7, and student and senior (65+) general admission is $5. Children 12 and under are free, and members are free.
For details, call 330-376-9185 or visit www.AkronArtMuseum.org.
E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153
