Barnes Foundation's video: Elijah Pierce s America - Curator Remarks with Nancy Ireson and Zo Whitley

Elijah Pierce’s America presents the exceptional work of self-taught woodcarver Elijah Pierce (1892–1984), known best for a tour-de-force volume of biblical scenes. His carvings depict remarkable narratives—religious parables, autobiographical scenes, episodes from American politics—and sometimes include figures from popular culture and sports. A barber by trade and a preacher by calling, Pierce reacted to life in 20th-century America through his handcrafted works, which also reflect his experience in one of the first generations of African Americans born into freedom. Pierce’s rich and varied sculpture is celebrated in this landmark exhibition, held in the Roberts Gallery. This exhibition is co-curated by Nancy Ireson, Deputy Director for Collections and Exhibitions & Gund Family Chief Curator at the Barnes Foundation, and Zoé Whitley, Director of Chisenhale Gallery, London. On view September 27, 2020 through January 10, 2021. ||Book Tickets and Tours|| https://bit.ly/elijahpiercesamerica Shop the Elijah Pierce's America catalog: https://shop.barnesfoundation.org/collections/books-media/products/exhibition-catalogue-elijah-pierces-america ||Take a class|| Study art history and art appreciation at the Barnes! We’re now offering a full array of online classes, with new ones rolling out every month. Need-based scholarships are available. https://bit.ly/barnesclasses-online ||About The Barnes Foundation|| The mission of the Barnes is to promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture. Our founder, Dr. Albert C. Barnes, believed that art had the power to improve minds and transform lives. Our diverse educational programs are based on his teachings and one-of-a-kind collections. Philadelphia art collector Albert C. Barnes (1872–1951) chartered the Barnes Foundation in 1922 to teach people from all walks of life how to look at art. Over three decades, he collected some of the world’s most important impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. He displayed them alongside African masks, native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork. Learn more: https://www.barnesfoundation.org ||Follow us|| Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barnesfoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnesfoundation Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_barnes