Virtual Exhibiting Artist Talk with Joseph Norman

Joseph Norman, a highly skilled draughtsman and printmaker, is widely considered the most important African American lithographer of his generation. His experience growing up one of six children on the south side of Chicago and the fact that his own parents were the grandchildren of slaves, has had a profound influence on his work, which is often imbued with commentary on social, racial, and political issues. His lithograph triptych “Target Practice: Take This, Take That” in the paperwork: Works on Paper from the Permanent Collection exhibition is filled with densely twisting vines, screws, boards and nails that recall slavery and historical acts of violence. And, divergent from his typical subjects, style, and media, Norman’s “Berlin Autumn” oil painting, on view in the Complex Terrain(s) exhibition, focused instead on the beauty of trees in Fall. Learn more about the career, current work and sources of inspiration for this esteemed artist.

Join us on Zoom for a live artist talk with Mr. Norman, followed by Q&A.

A Zoom link will be sent directly to registrants, so be sure to sign up in advance!

Joseph Norman was born in Chicago in 1957 as the fifth of six children to parents who were the grandchildren of slaves. He earned an M.A. at the University of Illinois and an M.F.A. at the University of Cincinnati in 1986. His subsequent move to Rhode Island launched his career, and he began to exhibit and teach at the Newport Art Museum.

Now a Professor of Art at the Lamar Dodd School of Art (University of Georgia), Norman has served as the Chairman of the Painting and Drawing Department and Founder of Study Abroad in Latin America, Cuba, Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. A world class draughtsman and printmaker, he has prints in collections around the country, including the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), and the RISD Museum. Many art historians consider Norman the most important African American lithographer of his generation. The Newport Art Museum owns 58 of Norman’s prints including works from his “Self-Portrait (Conviction)” and “Out at Home: Negro Baseball League” series. The Museum also owns two of Norman’s paintings, one of which is on display in the Griswold House.