NEW ORLEANS FEATURES - Jazz Inspires Visual Artists
Lasting Impressions: Jazz Inspires Visual Artists
It's been a long time coming. Centuries in the making, a decade in planning but it's finally here. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening to the public the most significant collection of Southern art. Works come from across the South from its earliest artists to its top contemporary ones.
As jazz went from a scandalous music played in New Orleans dance halls to national popular music to a unique American art form, it attracted artists in all mediums. Particularly through photography, the impressions of a particular moment on stage have been captured, frozen and immortalized. During Jazz Fest, many of these artists present their work at the Fair Grounds and around town.
John Stinson Gallery (900 South Peters St., 504-566-1944)
At his new gallery in the Warehouse District, John Stinson presents a special dual show of the photography of Louisiana natives Skip Bolen and Steven Forster. Bolen works in black and white and his portion of the show comes primarily from shooting at the Jazz Fest. Forster works in color in large formats. He'll present some of his monumental four by six foot prints of New Orleans musicians.
Herman Leonard (www.hermanleonard.com)
One of the most famous of jazz photographers,Leonard first started photographing jazz musicians in New York in the 1940s. He put the work aside to do fashion photography in Europe but in the '60s he found his old negatives and returned to jazz. His work is widely collected by the Smithsonian Institution. The second largest collection is on the walls of the restaurant Maximo's Italian Grill (1117 Decatur St.). Leonard lives in New Orleans and will be out shooting at the Jazz Fest as he focuses on New Orleans jazz talents.
Michael P. Smith (www.culturalicons.com)
A prolific photographer, Michael Smith has devoted his career to capturing New Orleans, particularly jazz, the all around revival of New Orleans music beginning in the '70s, and the Mardi Gras Indians. He's followed New Orleans music from the most colorful corner bars to the stages of Jazz Fest. He'll be out shooting on the grounds and has a tent near the Fais Do Do stage featuring his works for sale. The prints and catalogues include every Jazz Fest and just about every local and major visiting artist.
Frenchy Gallery (319 Royal St., 504-561-5885)
Frenchy has carved out a local niche as a performance painter. He literally captures artists as they play, rendering complete works in the course of a musical set. He's a regular at the Fest and has also gained a reputation for painting sporting figures and events as well. He was seen regularly on national television during New Orleans Saints home games as he painted from the sidelines. Musicians are his primary focus.
Lionel Milton Gallery (1818 Magazine St., 504-522-6966)
New Orleans native Lionel Milton paints canvasses and murals in an eye-catching, representational style with heavy grafitti and cartoon influences. His mural-covered gallery is unmistakable in the Lower Garden District, and the gallery often hosts happy hour events, in line with his relaxed vibe and approach. Jazz, Mardi Gras and street scenes are some of his most common subjects.