Duke art historian to deliver Jones lecture

Richard J. Powell

3:31 p.m., March 21, 2006--Richard J. Powell, John Spencer Bassett Professor of Art History at Duke University in Durham, N.C., will deliver the Paul R. Jones Lecture, “The New Black Portraiture,” at 4 p.m., Monday, April 3, in the Trabant University Center Theatre. The lecture will be followed by a reception in Mechanical Hall, where the Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art is housed.

Author of Black Art: A Cultural History, Homecoming: The Art and Life of William H. Johnson and Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century, Powell has curated, written and lectured widely about art and the contributions of artists to global culture. His exhibitions include “Beauford Delaney: The Color Yellow,” “Circle Dance: The Art of John T. Scott,” and most recently, “Conjuring Bearden,” currently on view at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.

Powell's research and teaching focus on American art, African-American art and theories of race and representation in the African diaspora. He also is interested in the media arts and conceptualizations of the "folk" in world art and culture. He earned his doctoral degree in art history from Yale University, a master's degree in fine art from Howard University and a bachelor's degree in fine art from Morehouse College.

Article by Martin Mbugua

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