Detroit Collects: Selections of African American Art from Private Collections

November 12, 2019 – March 15, 2020

Updated Nov 11, 2019

Explore the rich history of collecting of African American Art in the Detroit region by private collectors, featuring works by Romare Bearden, Al Loving, Charles McGee and Alison Saar. This exhibition will demonstrate local collectors’ interest in the diverse media, styles, genres, influences and subject matter that inspired them to collect art created by African Americans. 

"All Blues," 2008, Allie McGhee, American; mix/canvas. Collection of Nettie Seabrooks.

Explore the rich history of collecting of African American Art in the Detroit region by private collectors, featuring works by Romare Bearden, Al Loving, Charles McGee and Alison Saar. This exhibition will demonstrate local collectors’ interest in the diverse media, styles, genres, influences and subject matter that inspired them to collect art created by African Americans. 

Images

"All Blues," 2008, Allie McGhee, American; mix/canvas. Collection of Nettie Seabrooks.

"All Blues," 2008, Allie McGhee, American; mix/canvas. Collection of Nettie Seabrooks.

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"From Speech to Silence," 2001, Asheber Macharia, American; acrylic on masonite. Collection of David and Linda Whitaker

"From Speech to Silence," 2001, Asheber Macharia, American; acrylic on masonite. Collection of David and Linda Whitaker

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"The Child (Day)," 2007, Tylonn J. Sawyer, American; oil on panel. From the collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

"The Child (Day)," 2007, Tylonn J. Sawyer, American; oil on panel. From the collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

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"The Child (Night)," 2011, Tylonn J. Sawyer, American; oil on panel. From the collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

"The Child (Night)," 2011, Tylonn J. Sawyer, American; oil on panel. From the collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

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"Greenwich Village," 1945, Beauford Delaney, American; oil on canvas. Mary Anne and Eugene A. Gargaro Jr. Collection.

"Greenwich Village," 1945, Beauford Delaney, American; oil on canvas. Mary Anne and Eugene A. Gargaro Jr. Collection.

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"Reliquary," Martin Puryear, American; gessoed pine. Collection of Gayle and Andrew Camden.

"Reliquary," Martin Puryear, American; gessoed pine. Collection of Gayle and Andrew Camden.

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"The Plotter," 1933, Archibald John Motley, Jr., American; oil on canvas. Collection Walter O. and Linda Evans.

"The Plotter," 1933, Archibald John Motley, Jr., American; oil on canvas. Collection Walter O. and Linda Evans.

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"Flintlock Fantasy," 1994-1996, Richard Hunt, American; welded bronze. Manoogian Collection.

"Flintlock Fantasy," 1994-1996, Richard Hunt, American; welded bronze. Manoogian Collection.

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"Madonna," 1982, Elizabeth Catlett, American; lithograph, ed 180.

"Madonna," 1982, Elizabeth Catlett, American; lithograph, ed 180.

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"(Echoes) Let the Church Roll On," 1995-1996, David C. Driskell, American; Encaustic, gouache, and crayon on paper.

"(Echoes) Let the Church Roll On," 1995-1996, David C. Driskell, American; Encaustic, gouache, and crayon on paper.

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"Untitled," 2015, Rashid Johnson, American; softground etching printed on black in somerset velvet antique white. Lent by Marc A. Schwartz and Emily Camiener.

"Untitled," 2015, Rashid Johnson, American; softground etching printed on black in somerset velvet antique white. Lent by Marc A. Schwartz and Emily Camiener.

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"Little Paul," 1995, Robert L. Tomlin, American; egg tempera. P. Henry and P. Taylor Collection.

"Little Paul," 1995, Robert L. Tomlin, American; egg tempera. P. Henry and P. Taylor Collection.

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"After Manet, from May Days Long Forgotten," 2002, Carrie Mae Weems, American; digital chromogenic print. Shirley Woodson and Edsel Reid Collection.

"After Manet, from May Days Long Forgotten," 2002, Carrie Mae Weems, American; digital chromogenic print. Shirley Woodson and Edsel Reid Collection.

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"Untitled Cube," 1973, Alvin Loving, American; acrylic on canvas. Collection of David and Linda Whitaker.

"Untitled Cube," 1973, Alvin Loving, American; acrylic on canvas. Collection of David and Linda Whitaker.

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"Untitled," 1994, Pervis A. Hawkins; acrylic on tar paper. Rhonda D. Welburn.

"Untitled," 1994, Pervis A. Hawkins; acrylic on tar paper. Rhonda D. Welburn.

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"Mother and Child," 1965, Charles McGee, American; charcoal drawing. Attorney Jerome Watson and Judge Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford.

"Mother and Child," 1965, Charles McGee, American; charcoal drawing. Attorney Jerome Watson and Judge Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford.

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"Transition II," 2013, Richard Mayhew, American; acrylic on canvas. From the Collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

"Transition II," 2013, Richard Mayhew, American; acrylic on canvas. From the Collection of Lorna Thomas, M.D.

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"The Hero," 1960, Leroy Foster, American; oil on masonite. Dr. Darnell and Shirley A. Kaigler.

"The Hero," 1960, Leroy Foster, American; oil on masonite. Dr. Darnell and Shirley A. Kaigler.

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"Soundsuit," Nick Cave, American; mixed media. Joy and Allan Nachman.

"Soundsuit," Nick Cave, American; mixed media. Joy and Allan Nachman.

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"Picking Cotton," 1968, Clementine Hunter, American; oil on board. Joann and Harold Braggs Collection.

"Picking Cotton," 1968, Clementine Hunter, American; oil on board. Joann and Harold Braggs Collection.

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"The Accusation," 1964, Bob Thompson, American; oil on canvas. Robert B. and Katherine Jacobs.

"The Accusation," 1964, Bob Thompson, American; oil on canvas. Robert B. and Katherine Jacobs.

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"Study for Haitian Mural, Wilmington, Delaware," 1942, Aaron Douglas, American; oil on board. Lent by Wilson A. and Deborah Fl. Copeland and Lauren F. C. N'Namdi.

"Study for Haitian Mural, Wilmington, Delaware," 1942, Aaron Douglas, American; oil on board. Lent by Wilson A. and Deborah Fl. Copeland and Lauren F. C. N'Namdi.

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"Girl Fleeing," 1959, Hughie Lee-Smith, American; oil on canvas. Attorney Jerome Watson and Judge Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford.

"Girl Fleeing," 1959, Hughie Lee-Smith, American; oil on canvas. Attorney Jerome Watson and Judge Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford.

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"Ancestors by Water's Edge," 1989, Brenda Dendy Stroud, American; collage, mixed media.

"Ancestors by Water's Edge," 1989, Brenda Dendy Stroud, American; collage, mixed media.

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