Resident Artist Mel Edwards with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
“I am thrilled that as a consequence of this collaboration with the internationally renowned artist and HSP Councilor, Curlee Raven Holton, that more artists will conduct research at HSP and create original works of art inspired by the vast stores of historical evidence in our care,” said Dr. David Brigham, HSP Librarian and CEO.
Father Divine (1877-1965), © Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Artist Mel Edwards has drawn inspiration from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s collections. In collaboration with Raven Fine Art Editions, Edwards has created Vision and Purpose I, II, III, and IV, a series of serigraph prints. Raven Editions produced a series of 60 prints over four editions, each with different coloring, one in black and white and one in sepia. In creating the work, Edwards made use of HSP’s collections related to Father Divine (1877-1965), a religious leader and founder of the International Peace Mission.
“This type of collaboration with an institution such as HSP is important because the historical documents record the American experience and its profound narratives of hope, freedom, and possibilities,” said Curlee Raven Holton, Director of Raven Fine Art Editions. “These experiences and possibilities are given new meaning and relevance in today’s world by the talent and unique voice of these participating artists.”
Edwards is a celebrated abstract steel metal sculptor based in Baltimore, Maryland, and upstate New York. His work has been the subject of over a dozen one-person exhibits and has been included in over 50 group shows. Characterized by the use of straight-edged triangular and rectilinear forms, his art often has a political context. His work is featured in many prominent museum collections nationally and internationally. Read more about the artist-in-residency program here.
Edition Size: 15 of each; Medium: Serigraph/Digital; Size: 22x30 in
Join us on Wednesday, September 27th, as Raven founder and artist Curlee R. Holton discusses the project with Edwards, sharing insights on how contemporary artists give relevancy and new meaning to the archival materials. RSVP here.
Vision and Purpose I, II, III, and IV will be on view and will be available for purchase, and the artist will be on-site signing the works. Collections related to Father Divine will also be displayed during the event. This event is offered in a hybrid format. The audience may join the artists at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania at 1300 Locust Street in Philadelphia, or via Zoom webinar.
Speakers' Bios:
Mel Edwards drawing at Raven Editions studio; © 2023, Raven Fine Art Editions
Mel Edwards is a celebrated abstract steel metal sculptor based in Baltimore, Maryland, and upstate New York. His work has been the subject of over a dozen one-person exhibits and has been included in over 50 group shows. Characterized by the use of straight-edged triangular and rectilinear forms, his art often has a political context. His work is featured in many prominent museum collections nationally and internationally.
Curlee Raven Holton is the Founding Director and Master Printer at Raven Fine Art Editions. Holton is a highly regarded and award-winning artist, printmaker, and professor. Previously, he served as the founding director of The Experimental Printmaking Institute at Lafayette College. Holton received an MFA with a concentration in Printmaking from Kent State University after receiving a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the Cleveland Institute of Fine Arts. In 2015 he received the Anyone Can Fly Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for expanding the appreciation of fine art printmaking, presented by renowned artist Faith Ringgold. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Art and Philosophy from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA) in 2018.