Exhibiting artist:
Selden Gallery 2007 “Art of African American Artists” curated by Maizelle
Offsite Gallery “Art of Prominent African American Artists” curated by Maizelle
Offsite Gallery 2017 “2017 Renaissance” curated by Maizelle
Offsite Gallery 2019, June 28 – August 9 “Make Me Wanna Holler” curated by Maizelle
“When you look at Alexis Joyner’s sculptures, it becomes obvious that familial relationships are at the core of his work. “I find myself drawn to the special bond between mother and child,” Joyner notes. “I often address social issues and concerns and I like to gently remind young folk that they don’t need to reinvent the wheel.” A native of Southampton County, Virginia, Joyner created his first three-dimensional pieces at age 12 by carving faces on walking sticks and canes. More serious explorations began at Virginia State College where he produced Mama, a soft-shaped canvas painting in the fall of 1974 and in 1975, his first large wood piece. Entitled Cherry, a depiction of Nat Turner’s wife rendered in black walnut, it is an homage to the legendary slave revolt of 1831 that occurred in the county where Joyner was born. Joyner would go on to earn an MFA from Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities where he cites Dr. Rod Taylor (NSU) and Mr. Victor Pickett (ODU) as significant influences as well as the work of sculptor Elizabeth Catlett. “She was fearless in making statements and social commentary and her works were finished to a point of near perfection,” he says. Joyner’s work, which he describes as “visual sermonettes,” has been exhibited in a variety of venues, most recently at NSU’s James Wise Gallery, and select pieces can be seen at Arts of the Albemarle (516 E. Main St.).” 11/03/2016 by Simone Cooper
Watch a video of the exhibition in 2017:
