Lifting John Biggers’ art with academic presentation

GASTON COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY

Kenlontae Turner, curator of collections at the Hampton University Museum, will talk about alumnus John Biggers’ art at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History June 5.

John Biggers’ art will get the academic treatment at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History.

Kenlontae Turner, curator of collections at the Hampton University Museum in Virginia, will talk on “The Artistic Vision of Dr. John T. Biggers” June 5 at 6 p.m. The presentation is free, but reservations are required by emailing [email protected].

The lecture will explore the Gastonia-born artist’s arc from college student to master storyteller and mentor as well as uncover the visual impact of his work by examining pieces from permanent collections at Hampton, where Biggers graduated, and the Museum of Art & History in Dallas, North Carolina, near his childhood home.

“We are excited to have Kenlontae Turner join us for this intimate look at the work of Dr. Biggers,” Art & History Museum director Alexandrea Pizza said in a statement. “As curator of ‘John Biggers: Dance of Creation’ on view at Hampton University, Mr. Turner brings a unique perspective and understanding of Dr. Biggers’ artwork to his curation at our museum. Through Mr. Turner’s extensive research and expertise, we continue to learn more about Dr. Biggers and the influences on his work as we begin the curation and conservation of the collection, and we’re thrilled to share insights like these from Mr. Turner with the community as we move through the process.”

The Gaston County Museum received more than 200 sketches, mural concepts and unfinished artworks from the estate of Hazel Hales Biggers in 2023 and is in the process of conserving and exhibiting selected pieces for display.

Biggers, who was born about 3 miles from the museum, was educated in Gaston County before earning an art degree from Hampton and PhD from Penn State University. He launched the art department at Texas Southern University in Houston, where he lived and worked for much of his career.

Biggers’ art is on display across the country, including the Mint Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Columbia Museum of Art, Dallas Museum of Art in Texas and Smithsonian American Art Museum.

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