From 1978 Maplewood Arts Center:
1978 Maplewood Arts Center celebrates Black History Month from February 8 to March 15. The gallery will be devoted to artist, Victor Davson, who pays tribute to the music of the 70’s through his paintings on LP album covers. He will speak on their significance, his motivation and influence at an artist reception, Sunday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 6 p.m.
There will be an opportunity available for all ages to explore his method Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in a free workshop. Pre registration is suggested: 1978artscenter@gmail.com.
Davson, founding director of Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art in Newark, has created a series of paintings on LP record album covers that pay tribute to the music of the 70’s to create a large installation called the “Dub Factor Series.” They represent a facet of the American music cultural phenomenon — depicting popular and iconic figures — which were an influence on him growing up in Guyana.
Davson was born in Georgetown , Guyana, immigrated to the United States in 1973 and received a BFA degree from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY shortly after. His thriving artistic career of 40 years concentrated in painting, drawing and printmaking, meriting him exhibitions at Francis Kyle Gallery, London, Rush Art Gallery, NY, The Bertha V.B. Lederer Gallery, SUNY, Geneseo, New Jersey’s NJ State Museum, Jersey City Museum, Newark Museum, and Morris Museum.
He is a recipient of many awards including the NJ State Council on the Arts Fellowship (2011), J. Paul Getty Trust Scholarship (1997), The Wheeler Foundation (1995) Pollock Krasner Foundation (1994), Rutgers Center for Innovative Print and Paper Fellowship (1993), Nouveau Noir in conjunction with Jonction Internacional, Nice, France (1988) and the Burnham Art Medal-National Painting of the Year Award, Georgetown.
Gallery 1978 hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. Private group viewings can be arranged. Contact Nettie Thomas, 973-763-0739, Evelyn Graves, 973-762 -2834 or Onnie Strother, 973-960-6988.
