Current Exhibtions
N'Namdi Collection
Artist to Watch
Upcoming Exhibitions
Charles White
Abstract Masters Series
Language of Abstraction
Both/And
Departures
Artist in Residence
Artist in Residence
Najjar Abdul-Musawwir
Born on October 25th, 1958, in Chicago, Najjar Abdul-Musawwir is an Associate Professor of Fine Art at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale School of Art and Design where he teaches “Exploration of Mixed-Media,” “Abstract Painting,” “Experimental Drawing,” “Graduate Professional Development,” and “African-American Art History.” In addition, he serves on several academic committees, including African Studies and Global Studies. Musawwir is also a well recognized contemporary abstract artist. His works illustrate culture, faith, and history through abstract language. Abdul-Musawwir combines different materials as a metaphor for the human experiences and the discussion of abstract existences. Also known for using burlap sacks in his paintings, Musawwir explores the power of harvesting spiritual experiences of the human-will – past, present, and beyond the 21st century.
Current Exhibitions
N'Namdi Collection
The N'Namdi Collection is one of the finest private collections of African American art in the world. The combined works cover more than a century of art in every genre and is anchored by contemporary abstract paintings. The collection can be seen as a legacy investment which assists in securing the heritage of African-American artists. It is also a tool for educating audiences on the contributions of people of African descent to the discourse of modern and contemporary art. As the culmination of over 40 years of commitment, entrepreneurship, and discernment, the collection represents the many divergent approaches to making art, and the history, struggles and triumphs of a people.
The N'Namdi Collection is one of the finest private collections of African American art in the world. The combined works cover more than a century of art in every genre and is anchored by contemporary abstract paintings. The collection can be seen as a legacy investment which assists in securing the heritage of African-American artists. It is also a tool for educating audiences on the contributions of people of African descent to the discourse of modern and contemporary art. As the culmination of over 40 years of commitment, entrepreneurship, and discernment, the collection represents the many divergent approaches to making art, and the history, struggles and triumphs of a people.
Artist to Watch
Gregory Coates
Originally from Washington, DC., Gregory Coates trained at the Cocoran School of Art, then traveled abroad to Germany to attend the prestigious Kunst Akademie in Duesseldorf. For Coates, living and working as an artist in Germany was a formative experience. "Art was my only form of communication." He has held residencies in New York, London, Berlin, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Originally from Washington, DC., Gregory Coates trained at the Cocoran School of Art, then traveled abroad to Germany to attend the prestigious Kunst Akademie in Duesseldorf. For Coates, living and working as an artist in Germany was a formative experience. "Art was my only form of communication." He has held residencies in New York, London, Berlin, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Angelbert Metoyer
Angelbert Metoyer's desire to find the universal religion that everyone is a part of is progressed through his investigations in Carl Jung Psychology and the M-Theory. His work relates to finding a universal freedom, where racism is non-existent, and equality and freedom are bountiful. Metoyer was born in Houston, Texas, went to school at the Atlanta College of Art and Design, and he currently lives in London, and creates work all over the world on his travels.
Angelbert Metoyer's desire to find the universal religion that everyone is a part of is progressed through his investigations in Carl Jung Psychology and the M-Theory. His work relates to finding a universal freedom, where racism is non-existent, and equality and freedom are bountiful. Metoyer was born in Houston, Texas, went to school at the Atlanta College of Art and Design, and he currently lives in London, and creates work all over the world on his travels.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Charles Wilbert White: Selections from the Johnson Publications Collection
Charles White (1907-1979) is one of the greatest American artists of the twentieth century. His drawings, lithographs, and paintings celebrate the strength and dignity of African Americans. Born in Chicago, White developed a love for art at an early age. He studied at The Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League. After completing his formal training, White qualified for employment with the Works Project Administration (WPA), here his desire to use his craft in altering the preconceived "black image" in America began. In 1941, White married sculptor Elizabeth Catlett while at Dillard University in New Orleans. He taught at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles from 1965 until his death in 1979. White was elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1972.
Charles White (1907-1979) is one of the greatest American artists of the twentieth century. His drawings, lithographs, and paintings celebrate the strength and dignity of African Americans. Born in Chicago, White developed a love for art at an early age. He studied at The Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League. After completing his formal training, White qualified for employment with the Works Project Administration (WPA), here his desire to use his craft in altering the preconceived "black image" in America began. In 1941, White married sculptor Elizabeth Catlett while at Dillard University in New Orleans. He taught at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles from 1965 until his death in 1979. White was elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1972.
Exhibition Opening Date - Exhibition Ending Date
Curated by George N'Namdi, this series of exhibitions will present the works of artists who have made a significant contribution in furthering the paradigm of abstraction. Beginning in the fall of 2011 with master painter Ed Clark, the series will be a mainstay of the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art.
Curated by George N'Namdi, this series of exhibitions will present the works of artists who have made a significant contribution in furthering the paradigm of abstraction. Beginning in the fall of 2011 with master painter Ed Clark, the series will be a mainstay of the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art.
Language of Abstraction: Communicating with direct route to the intellect
This national juried exhibition curated by national artist/educator Najjar Abdul-Musawwir. Artist working in 2D and 3D form from around the United States are invited to make online submissions for the theme "Language of Abstraction: Communicating with direct route to the intellect."
Exhibition will be held in Fall 2011. Works will be juried on the use of abstraction as a visual language for formalism and narrative expression.
This national juried exhibition curated by national artist/educator Najjar Abdul-Musawwir. Artist working in 2D and 3D form from around the United States are invited to make online submissions for the theme "Language of Abstraction: Communicating with direct route to the intellect."
Exhibition will be held in Fall 2011. Works will be juried on the use of abstraction as a visual language for formalism and narrative expression.
Both/And
Curated by Dennis Alan Nawrocki, this exhibition, scheduled for 2012 is both a blast from the past and a look into the future. Featuring classics of art from the Cass Corridor, and a sampling of fresh offerings from a new generation of Detroit artists. Works will include found objects, sculpture, heavily textured items, and thick, clotted paint.
Curated by Dennis Alan Nawrocki, this exhibition, scheduled for 2012 is both a blast from the past and a look into the future. Featuring classics of art from the Cass Corridor, and a sampling of fresh offerings from a new generation of Detroit artists. Works will include found objects, sculpture, heavily textured items, and thick, clotted paint.
Medium, Materiality and Immateriality
Curated by Michael Stone-Richards / Installation concept by Abigail Murray
The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art presents New Departures and Transitions: Medium, Materiality and Immateriality. In this inaugural curated show for the N'Namdi Center in Detroit, curator Michael Stone-Richards invited a group of artists to take the stunning space and vaulted roofing of the Center to project an embodied sense of new departures and transitions in the creation of a multi-visual and richly sensuous environment of sensations and thought. Artists in ceramics, video, photography, fabric and painting were invited to transform the space of the gallery into an environment of new trajectories, departures and transitions.
The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art presents New Departures and Transitions: Medium, Materiality and Immateriality. In this inaugural curated show for the N'Namdi Center in Detroit, curator Michael Stone-Richards invited a group of artists to take the stunning space and vaulted roofing of the Center to project an embodied sense of new departures and transitions in the creation of a multi-visual and richly sensuous environment of sensations and thought. Artists in ceramics, video, photography, fabric and painting were invited to transform the space of the gallery into an environment of new trajectories, departures and transitions.