By Staff
How would you describe the contribution that African Americans have made to the world of art?
This is a difficult question to answer in a way that truly acknowledges the fantastic and important work done by African Americans. The African American contribution to the world of art has been monumental from the very beginning although we are just now being recognized and appreciated in a serious way. African American artists are only in recent decades truly entering the canon of art in the USA. This mission is being furthered by the Smithsonian NMAAHC as part of its stated founding principles. This is a primary reason I’m so honored to have my work as part of the NMAAHC’s Founding and Permanent Collection.
What inspired you to become an artist?
Being an artist was never something I aspired to become, it never crossed my mind. From a very early age I was able to draw but there was never anyone or particular thing that stood out to me with regards to the arts. In fact, this was not something in my young world.
Becoming an “artist” was in actuality a “what’s next” moment. Before beginning my journey as an artist my friend took me to the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. When I saw the art work I said “I can do that”. I said this never being formally trained in the visual arts or aspiring to be an artist.
During this time in my life my profession was copier technician, I repaired “xerox” machines. October 15, 1992, began as any other Tuesday workday with the technicians meeting at company. The boss wasn’t talking right, I gave him his job back, went to the unemployment office and literally began painting that day. My first painting was/is entitled “Come Monday”, it was painted with brushes found in the gutter and given to me.
Tell us about your HBCU initiative.
I created the Gifting Initiative to honor my mother, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Bowden Allen Johnson, and eldest brother, Arthur Lee Allen, to honor the tremendous support they gave me throughout my career. They’re both Ancestors now, their support allowed me to become the artist I am.
The Initiative involves donating artwork to selected HBCUs. Many of our institutions of higher learning don’t have the resources necessary to acquire and preserve the works created by Black/African American artists. The Initiative in beneficial to the HBCUs in a number of ways. Primarily it helps preserve and share our cultural heritage for future generations and it provides tangible assets to help the financial position of the institutions.
The first recipients of the gifts were Shaw University in Raleigh, NC (my mother’s alma mater), Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library (Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Interdenominational Theological Center) in Atlanta, Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL.
To date the Initiative has donated approximately $1.5 million to HBCUs. We are embarking on the second phase now.
What was your experience doing an exhibition in Brazil?
My Brazilian experience was actually the first time it became “real”, that I’m actually able to consider myself an artist. I truly felt appreciated for all the things that I’ve accomplished in my career.
Tell us about your most favorite creation and why?
I don’t have a favorite creation to speak of. Each piece has its own unique place in the universe and in my mind. It’s like asking a parent which of their children is their favorite child.
How did you begin your journey as an artist? (This appears to be the same question as: What inspired you to become an artist? I’m answering it the same answer.)
Being an artist was never something I aspired to become, it never crossed my mind. From a very early age I was able to draw but there was never anyone or particular thing that stood out to me with regards to the arts. In fact, this was not something in my young world.
Becoming an “artist” was in actuality a “what’s next” moment. Before beginning my journey as an artist my friend took me to the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. When I saw the art work I said “I can do that”. I said this never being formally trained in the visual arts or aspiring to be an artist.
During this time in my life my profession was copier technician, I repaired “xerox” machines. October 15, 1992, began as any other Tuesday workday with the technicians meeting at company. The boss wasn’t talking right, I gave him his job back, went to the unemployment office and literally began painting that day. My first painting was/is entitled “Come Monday”, it was painted with brushes found in the gutter and given to me.
What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?
The answer lies in the fact that I’m not in competition with anyone, especially with regards to my work. The uniqueness of each artists’ gift precludes competition as I see it. We each have a gift by which our creations are unique unto themselves.
What does success look like for you?
Success for me, most importantly, is the recognition of my work for its esthetic, scholarly and ability to connect with the viewer on a spiritual level. I create for the sheer joy of creating and hopefully to say something of meaning on various levels.
Tell us about your most prestigious exhibition.
Up to this point my exhibition “Afro Futurismo E Ancestralidade” (Afro Futurism and Ancestry) at the Museum of History and Culture for Afro Brazilians (MUHCAB) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the most prestigious for a number of reasons. Over the years I’ve really connected with the people of Brazil. The fact that the exhibition was presented at MUHCAB resonated deeply within me.
Where would you like to see your career in the next five years?
I’m working towards the continuation of the HBCU Gifting Initiative and exhibiting my work nationally and internationally.
About The Foundation
The Steve R. Allen Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization based in Atlanta, Georgia USA. It was envisioned and created by internationally renowned Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture and Eight-time Olympic artist Steve R. Allen.
Mr. Allen has expressed a desire to share his artistic gift with young people and also help expose them to the wider world through Visual Arts. From a very early age, Mr. Allen expressed an interest in seeing the world and his artistic gift has allowed him to do so.
FOCUS
The Steve R. Allen Foundation’s focus is the introduction and promotion of Fine Art to young people in the USA and the world. This focus has led to the development and presentation of various art education workshops around the world.
The Foundation seeks to identify and work with young artists so as to nurture and develop their talents while assisting them in the promotion of their work. The Foundation helps to expose young artists to established artists and provide them an opportunity to work with and be mentored by them.
Our primary program is “The Art of Seeing. What do you see?”. The program is part of our “S.T.E.A.M” (Science, Technology, Education, Arts, and Mathematics) initiative. The program was created by Steve R. Allen and Dr. Fiesta Kagler-Martin, Ph.D. It introduces young people to the Arts in myriad forms and demonstrates how all five disciplines are in some ways related and can
Find Out More
https://steverallenfoundation.org/
