A Passion for Collecting: The Vision of Louis Allan Ford (1942-2020)
October 30 – January 29, 2022 by appt. only
Featured Artists: Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Allan Rohan Crite, David Driskell, Victor Ekpuk, Sam Gilliam, Ronald Jackson, Lois Mailou Jones, Joseph Holston, Charles Sebree, Alma Thomas, James Wells, and many more…
A Passion for Collecting: The Vision of Louis Allan Ford is a testament to Ford’s cultural pride and the legacy he built through collecting. As a patron of the arts, Louis Ford was a familiar and beloved figure on the Washington metropolitan art scene. His passion for African and African American art is reflected in the collection he amazed of nearly two hundred items. Ford acquired utilitarian and ceremonial objects of West Africa and historically significant works of art created by prominent and emerging contemporary artists. He was also a treasure hunter and was known for discovering rare works at estate sales and auction houses.
Ford was a graduate of Dunbar High School and Howard University. He was a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Ford served in the U.S. Air Force and after a brief stint in the federal government found his niche in real estate, creating opportunities for homeownership for many African American families.
Audio excerpts: In 2010 Louis Ford took part in the Art of the Collectors II discussion at Galerie Myrtis.
Art of the Collectors IV features works from private collections created by prominent African and African American artists. Included in the exhibition are paintings and sculptures by artists who played an integral role in the Harlem Renaissance, as well as those whose works informed the landscape of American art.
Artwork
Alvin Hollingsworth (1928 - 2000), Voodoo, Acrylic Mixed Media Collage on Plywood, 37 1/2"x37 1/2", 1977
Charles White (1918 - 1979), Black Messaiah, Lithograph Edition no: 3/10, Image: 11"x14", Framed: 18 1/2" x22 1/2", 1941
Alvin Hollingsworth (1928 - 2000), Genesis, Acrylic and Slate Mixed Media on Plywood, 25 1/2"x19 1/2"
Dr. David C. Driskell (1931 - ), Two Pines (Two Trees on Stretcher Bar), Oil and encaustic on canvas, 4'x39 3/4", 1962
David C. Driskell, Raggedy Ann Doll, Oil on Canvas, 30"x26", 1966
Cassandra Gillens, Collector She's a City Girl, Acrylic on Canvas, 30"x24", 2008
Tom Miller (1945 - 2000), Miss Nancy's Magic Mirror (front), Acrylic and Resin on Wood, Mirrored Shaving Stand With Drawer, 20 3/8"x17"x7", 1993
Tom Miller (1945 - 2000), Miss Nancy's Magic Mirror (back), Acrylic and Resin on Wood, Mirrored Shaving Stand With Drawer, 20 3/8"x17"x7", 1993
Tom Miller (1945-2000), Magic Box, Acrylic and Resin on Wood Chest, 29"x19"x16", 1993
Joyce Lomax, Thelma, Crayon on Paper, 17"x14"
Joyce Lomax, Ida, Crayon on Paper, 17"x14"
Gene Pearson, Green Moon Raku, 14 1/2" x 10" x 13 1/2", 2006
Romare Bearden (1911 -1988), Mother and Child, Screenprint Edition: HC Image 18"x14", Paper: 27 1/4"x21 1/4", 1980
Mary Reed Daniel (1946 - 2006), Untitled (Cityscape), Watercolor on Paperb,20"x16"
Elizabeth Catlett, (1915 - 2012), Girl Jumping Rope, Lithograph, Edition no: EE 66/100 13 1/2"x19 1/4", 1958
Elizabeth Catlett (1915 - 2012 ), Mother and Son, Lithograph Edition no: EE 66/100, 3/4"x19 1/4", 1971
David Driskell, Still Life with Tile, Edition no: 1/10, Woodcut/Collagraphy on paper Framed: 24" x 19", 1965
Tafa, Solidarity, Acrylic on Wood, 34"x20 1/4", 2008
Robert Freeman (1946 - ), Love Letters 23, Oil on Canvas, 24"x18", 2004
Joseph Holston, Miss Carrie Study, Acrylic on Paper, Image: 7 1/2"x6 1/2", Framed: 16"x15", 2009
Joseph Holston, Thinking Study, Acrylic on Paper, Image: 8 1/4"x6 1/4" , Framed: 15 1/2"x13", 2009
Joseph Holston (1955 - ), Costa Rican Rain, Etching 1/20, Image: 14"x12", Framed: 27 1/2"x22", 2010
Elizabeth T. Scott, Temple #25, Mixed Media Lap Quilt, 34"x21", 1996
Mary Reed Daniel (1946 - 2006), Untitled (Flowers), Watercolor on Paper, 20"x16"
Joseph Holston (1955 - )Quiet Morning Study, Acrylic on Paper, Image: 8 1/8"x10 1/8", Framed: 15 1/4"x19", 2009
Frank Neal (1915 - 1955), Unknown (Women by the Sea), Oil on Paper, Framed: 22"x25"
Frank Neal (1915 - 1955), Unknown (Women by the Sea), Oil on Paper, Framed: 22"x25"
Anderson Pigatt (1928 - 2009), Gas Can, Painted Wood 18"x12"x12", 1987
Anderson Pigatt (1928 - 2009), Black Skin, White Mask in Honor of Dr. Frantz Fannon, Painted Wood, 14"x7"x6", 1993
Palmer Hayden (1890 - 1973), Railroad Scene and Power line, Oil on Canvas, 22"x31"
Palmer Hayden (1890 - 1973), Mimi in Central Park, Watercolor on Paper, 17 1/4"x21 1/4"
Alvin Hollingsworth (1928 - 2000), Strange Fruit , Acrylic on Canvas, 48"x24", 1975
Edward Love (1936 - 1999), Bird V, Steel, 42"x20"x15"
Joseph Holston (1955 - ), Yellow Cap, Oil mixed Media on Canvas, 40 1/2"x56", 1974
Jacob Lawrence (1917 - 2000), Genesis Creation Sermon V, Serigraph Edition: HC 3/6, 26"x40", 1990
Artis Lane, Nude Sitting, Mixed Media on Paper, Image: 20"x26", Framed: 36"x30", 1982
Featured Artists: Alexander (Skunder) Boghossian, Elizabeth Catlett, David Driskell, Palmer Hayden, Alvin C Hollingsworth, Joseph Holston, Jacob Lawrence, Joyce Lomax, Edward Love, Artis Lane, Thomas P. Miller, Frank Neal, Gene Pearson, Anderson Pigatt, Elizabeth T. Scott and more…
Exhibitions
Voodoo (detail), 1977 by Alvin Hollingsworth
