#billhodgesgallery

Second Generation Black Gallerist, With Newark Origins, Takes The Global Lead My first introduction to Navindren Hodges came by way of an email from him promoting the sale of a unique print by the iconic Black abstract sculptor, Richard Hunt. I later met Navindren, in person, when I picked up the print at one of the oldest Black owned galleries in the country, the Bill Hodges Gallery, that was then located on 57th street in New York City. Navindren Hodges is the Gallery Director for Bill Hodges Gallery, now located in the Chelsea arts district in Manhattan. Established in 1979 by his father, Bill Hodges, the gallery’s collection ranges from 19th-century Black artists Henry Ossawa Tanner to Harlem Renaissance legends James Van der Zee to modernist, abstraction icons Norman Lewis and contemporaries Willie Cole and Carrie Mae Weems. Hodges notes that the market for African American artists and women artists is strong particularly due to the deaccessioning (divesting of art) occurring at many museums that are now looking, in many instances, to replace them with these two categories of artists who have long been under-represented. The gallery has been experiencing strong demand for Edward Clark, Norman Lewis, Frank Bowling and the photographs of Roy DeCarava amongst many others. More on Hodges at our podcast, WhatsNewarkGotToDoWithIt.com. Navindren attended the Sotheby’s Institute of Art where he received a Master’s Degree in Art Business and the University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.  Images: 1. Navindren Hodges with Demetrius Oliver’s, Totem, 2004. 2. Willie Cole, Mother and Child #2, 2020. 3. Bill Hodges kavie Barnes and Navindren Hodges, 2010. 4.Navindren with Norman Lewis’, Exodus, 1972. 5. Bill Hodges Gallery Catalog, 2010. 6. Navindren with Sam Gilliam’s, Renaissance I, 1986. 7. Takashi Murakami, 727, 1996. #blacklivesmatter #blackartmatters #blackartsmovement #africandiaspora #navindrenhodges #billhodgesgallery #newark #whatsnewarkgottodowithit #whatsupwithart https://www.instagram.com/p/CPhMUXpFTsG/?utm_medium=tumblr

Roy DeCarava (1919 - 2009) Untitled (Man with Portfolio), 1950s Gelatin Silver Print 14 x 11 in. ~ We are proud to exhibit this elegant photograph by Roy DeCarava in our current show “Selections from the Hamptons Virtual Art Fair 2020”. “Untitled (Man with Portfolio)”, ca. 1950s was taken only about a decade after DeCarava began photographing. This work is a perfect example of the refined simplicity of DeCarava’s style. Oblivious of his observer, as most of DeCarava’s characters are, an older man leans against a pole with a National Alliance of Businessmen portfolio that declares “hire, train, retain”. His sharp attire, completed with a feathered top hat, inclines us to believe that this man is in search of a job or is a manager that benefits from the government program – a testament to the Black job market in New York in the 1950’s. He is balanced on his right arm that is hidden behind his back and his fingers clasp a sheet of paper. This moment of isolated self-reflection, something so discreet, fleeting and rare in New York City, is so delicately and surreptitiously captured by DeCarava. ~ #billhodgesgallery #gallery #nycgallery #artgallery #africanamericanartist #supportminorityartists #supportthearts #artworld #billhodges #billhodgesgallery #africanamerican #africanamericanart #blackartist #blackartists #africanamericanartists #blackexcellence #americanmaster #masterartist #roydecarava #decarava #manwithportfolio #gelatinsilverprint https://www.instagram.com/p/CGDRNyjlZ9C/?igshid=18iclx85uzs9k

Richard Dempsey (1909 - 1987) Untitled (Jamaica) Watercolor on Paper 30 x 20 in. ~ Dempsey was a dynamic painter whose style alternated depending on his mood. His works could be figurative or expressionist or completely abstruse. Dempsey's palette is also quite unique as it is inspired by his youth in Oakland, California and his many travels to the Caribbean. In this grand watercolor, Dempsey creates a murky whirlwind of wide black brush strokes that are scattered with thinner lines from stray hairs of the brush. He breathes life into what can only be described as a motion by scattering drops of water and other colors on the black paint - creating splotches of deep rust, crimson, neon green and every color between the three. This work’s vague, obscure resemblance to the Jamaican flag with it's bright green, goldish yellow and broad strokes of black spark a captivating discourse on Black artists and abstraction. Richard Dempsey (1909 - 1987) was an African-American abstract painter. Dempsey moved to San Francisco at a young age and pursued his studies in art there as well at the California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland (1932-1934) and the Students Arts Center (1935-1940). In 1941, Dempsey moved to Washington D.C. for a position as an engineering draftsman at the Federal Power Commission. While in Washington, D.C. Dempsey studied art at Howard University with many notable artists like Sargent Johnson, Katherine Gans and James Wells. In 1946, Dempsey was awarded the Julius Rosenwald fund along with Elizabeth Catlett and was commissioned to paint portraits of "Outstanding American Negroes" like Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Thurgood Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell and Jacob Lawrence. Richard Dempsey also traveled to the Caribbean, notably Richmond Park, Jamaica, which was a major source of inspiration for his works. ~ #art #arts #nycarts #fineart #artist #billhodgesgallery #gallery #nycgallery #artgallery #africanamericanartist #supportminorityartists #supportthearts #artworld #billhodges #africanamerican #africanamericanart #blackartist #africanamericanartist #africanamerican #blackexcellence #Dempsey #richarddempsey #watercoloronpaper #Jamaica #richarddempsey https://www.instagram.com/p/B5lV02gFpIz/?igshid=ww0oapebdb7a

Beauford Delaney (1901-1979) Untitled, 1963 Gouache on paper 12 ⅘ x 19 ⅘ in. ~ Shown here is an electrifying and vibrant work on paper done while Harlem Renaissance artist, Beauford Delaney was living in Paris. Rich, mossy greens; earthy browns; electric periwinkles and sun-like, citrusy yellows and oranges blend together like gaseous clouds, creating a surrealist sunrise. Delaney is well-known for his vividly colored abstract expressionism and his location greatly influenced his palette. While living in New York, Delaney was inspired by the jazz scene, streetscapes and fellow artists like James Baldwin. In contrast, in Untitled, we can see the vie en rose Delaney enjoyed while living in Paris - away from the racism and homophobia that haunted him in America. Beauford Delaney was an American artist who is best known for his modernist, abstract expressionist paintings. Delaney was born in Knoxville, TN into a well-respected church family. Delaney's first job was as a helper at a sign company where he would draw and paint signs. He and his brother Joseph Delaney were also drawing signs of their own which caught the eye of Lloyd Branson, who took Beauford Delany under his wing and granted him an apprenticeship and motivated him to move to New York to study art. When he arrived in New York, Delaney was captivated by the Harlem Renaissance, which was in full swing at the time. However, it was also the Great Depression so Delaney found it difficult to support himself and his art. New York during the Great Depression eventually ended up being a great source of inspiration for Delaney whose early works are characterized by marginalized, poor New Yorkers. In 1953, Delaney moved to Paris and remained there until his death. ~ #nycarts #fineart #artist #billhodgesgallery #gallery #nycgallery #artgallery #africanamericanartist #supportminorityartists #supportthearts #artworld #billhodges #africanamerican #africanamericanart #blackartist #africanamericanartist #africanamerican #blackexcellence #BeaufordDelaney #Delaney #gouacheonpaper #gouachepainting #abstractexpressionism ##surrealism #modernistabstractexpressionism https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Jc7VEFL5H/?igshid=2jgwf0y22yo4

A recent addition to the gallery collection.  Frederick D. Jones (1913 - 1996) Untitled (Harlequin), ca. 1950  Oil on Canvas  23 3/4 x 17 1/2 in. #art #artist #billhodgesgallery #americanart #americanartist #africanamerican #africanamericanart #harlequin #fredjones #frederickjones #oiloncanvas #canvas #paint #painting #human #figure (at Bill Hodges Gallery)

I will forever admire Elizabeth Catlett's depiction of the Black experience. Her modernist approach continues to have such a strong influence on me. The way that the father's and mother's arm combine to form a single entity holding, protecting, and embracing their child is so beautiful. Elizabeth Catlett, The Family, 2002, @billhodgesgallery. #ElizabethCatlett #americanartist #billhodgesgallery #mastersofsculpture https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd2UQNiM5J2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Les Trois Femmes Noires, 2006 C Print, Edition of 5 56 ¼ x 65 ¼ in. ~ Our latest exhibition, Selections from the Hamptons Art Fair features this beautiful photograph by contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas. This work – Les Trois Femmes Noires, 2006 – like much of Mickalene Thomas’ work, is a candid scene with a vaguely 1970’s air to it, featuring black women lounging – candidly beautiful, sensual and inviting. Titled similarly to the works of the French Impressionists Thomas enjoys, she channels her own world into her image to uplift and celebrate Black women. Indeed, we all hold a yearning for times before quarantine when a group of friends could huddle around one another and talk for hours about nothing or everything. ~ #billhodgesgallery #gallery #nycgallery #artgallery #africanamericanartist #supportminorityartists #supportthearts #artworld #billhodges #billhodgesgallery #africanamerican #africanamericanart #blackartist #blackartists #africanamericanartists #blackexcellence #americanmaster #masterartist #mickalenethomas #photograph #blackwomen #blacwoman #lestroisfemmesnoires #cprint https://www.instagram.com/p/CGP5DHFF_P8/?igshid=p7jvftbvyclj

Bill Hodges Gallery is pleased to open its doors again and is currently exhibiting, Selections from the Hamptons Virtual Art Fair, on view until October 17th. Artists featured include Romare Bearden, Ed Clark, Kara Walker, Norman Lewis and Sam Gilliam. Viewing by appointment is encouraged, but not required. Please follow the link in our bio for more details! ~ #billhodgesgallery #gallery #nycgallery #artgallery #africanamericanartist #supportminorityartists #supportthearts #artworld #billhodges #billhodgesgallery #africanamerican #africanamericanart #blackartist #blackartists #africanamericanartists #blackexcellence #americanmaster #masterartist #karawalker #normanlewis #romarebearden #edclark #samgillaim #hamptonsvirtualartfair https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-g_EHlisA/?igshid=1uzwd38nxrkpn