“I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all.”
- James Baldwin
Face of the Son: A Tribute to James Baldwin
February 2, 2012
Face of the Son is a visual arts exhibition by artist, Ruben Morancy. Striking reflections of one of America’s most important modern voices by another native son during Black History Month 2012.
Location: 867 Valencia Street between 19th & 20th
Artist Statement:
Ruben Morancy, is a Haitian-born self-taught artist from Port-Au-Prince. I started painting at the very early age of eight after having visited the Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince, the artists there always seemed so happy holding their paint brushes and creating paintings that are based on legends or stories from generations past. My approach to art is very similar in thought to my fellow countrymen, but not in style. I believe that the strongest art is born out of necessity, to borrow a phrase from Herman Hesse. I have always been fascinated by the shapes and colors of things. Literature plays a major part in what I do, I am an avid reader and observer. I am a big fan of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Miro, Henri Darger and Joseph Yoakum. I am moved by the profound nature of “Outsider Art,” simple, imaginative.
This current exhibit is a tribute to one of America’s literary giants, James Arthur Baldwin. A prolific writer, artist and playwright. He embodies the essence of the consciousness of this country, or lack of. I am pleased to share with you my thoughts on canvas of Jimmy, as many of his friends called him.