Gilbert Fletcher has exhibited widely in museums, galleries, and in universities galleries around the country. He has a BA in Art Education from Dillard University and a MA from Pratt Institute. Before teaching art in the Bronx, he worked as an Art and Design Director in advertising agencies and publishing companies.
The Art of Gilbert Fletcher
Painted Voices: An Artist’s Journey into the World of Black Writers
A series of 28 portraits of the most celebrated Black writers of the 20th Century.
I explored the life of each writer by reading their fiction and nonfiction, poetry, speeches, essays inter-views and biographical information. Each portrait is a composite of the writer’s life experiences, work habits, struggles, passions and achievements. Although each writers style and voice is different from each other yet they are connected by purpose, through struggle and resistance. In the paintings I wanted to show the differences in their voices as well as how they are connected. This was only the beginning of my journey. Painted Voices was de-signed as a single painting with 28 different parts connected by symbols, words, fire, the river and the places we call home.
Each painting is oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in size.
Painted Voices available for exhibition send your inquires to gfletcherart@gmail.com
Return to New Orleans
New Orleans is my birthplace. I left there when I was 22 and since that time, I have been trying to fill a void in my creative soul. New Orleans is an enigma; it’s hard to understand and it’s even harder to paint because its colors are constantly changing. The city speaks to me in its syncopated iconic languages of culture, food, music, dance and its old off-colorful architecture. Its illusive atmospheric light and shadow slashing across the facade of shot-gun and creole cottages creates jazz like a musical rhythm. Even when it rains, the build-ings come to life in an array of haunting colors. The city speaks to me in a way I can’t always explain and yet I return to try to capture it essence, beauty and life.
Cane River Creoles
I was given the opportunity to create a series of paintings to document the people of Cane River, its land and its historic architecture. The land and the people were once owned by the French - the story began in 1786. Over a year and half I explored its farm land and back roads to better understand its history and culture. I went to all of its historic buildings, inter-viewed its residents and attended several of community celebrations. The series is a document to tell their story and to highlight their culture.
Connect with the Artist
For inquiries regarding the purchase of the book "Painted Voices" and posters, as well as exhibitions, commissions, or collaborations, please reach out to Gilbert Fletcher.