PHOTOS: New exhibit at Black History Museum showcases previous VCU Art Dean’s work

By Amelia Heymann – Capital News Service

Murry DePillars: Double Vision, is the newest exhibit at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. It features 37 pieces of artwork from both the early and late career of DePillars. While his use of mediums range from crayon illustration to quilting work, most of the exhibition shows off DePillars’ acrylic paintings.

DePillars’ art career spanned four decades, from the ‘60s to the early 2000s. His early work, such as the illustration Aunt Jemima, deals with socio-economic and political commentary of the country. Unlike his later work, these illustrations use little color. The drawings were created while DePillar was earning his degrees in Chicago, and then later Pennsylvania.

One of his most notable accomplishments was his tenure as the Dean of the Arts Department at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1976-1999. Tasha Chambers, Director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, says that Depillars was an integral part of turning VCU into one of the largest art schools in the country. He remained in Richmond until his death in 2008.

Even as a Dean at VCU, Depillars continued his own artistic pursuit and travels. On his trips, Depillars carried around a suitcase full of art supplies with him. This allowed him to easily work on his art wherever he went. The suitcase he used and two unfinished paintings are featured in the exhibit.

Depillars’ late work contrasts deeply from his early illustrations. Stepping into the upstairs gallery, visitors are greeted by an array of vivid colors and patterns that mimic those of traditional African beadwork. Within the mixture of geometric shapes are hidden figures and objects. Chambers said that Depillars was well researched when it came to his work, and often looked at how Africa as well as the current environment influenced African American traditions.

The exhibit takes its name from Michael D. Harris, an artist and art historian who created the term “double vision,” a phrase describing the process by which black artists look back to Africa and compare that culture to that of their contemporary society.  Chambers added that the museum also chose this name for the exhibit because they are not only exploring Depillars’ artistic career, but also his role as an educator.

The new exhibition coincides with a whole host of Black History Month events. Chambers said while museum is celebrating black Americans’ contributions to “life, love and liberty,” they are also now fighting to keep them.

She says that given the current political environment, “we are celebrating, (but) we are also still participating in the movement to bring awareness to these things that may now be in jeopardy,” said Chambers.

The exhibit will open to the public on Friday, February, 3. To find out more about the Museum’s events for Black History Month, visit their website at blackhitorymuseum.org.