The exhibit entitled, We Are The Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball, is a collection of about 40 portraits and other scenes referencing some of the greatest figures from the heyday of the League, whose players, it needs to be said, rivalled the White baseball league. All of the paintings are by the talented Kadir Nelson. The exhibit runs till January 8, 2012.
I found the colours on these canvases so very vibrant. Nelson captures the strength and determination, the dignity and professionalism of the men of the Negro Baseball League with a uniquely identifiable style all his own. Each painting I approached took my breath away....not just the realistic execution of the pieces but the sad back story of segregation and ultimately, due to the overwhelming skill of players like Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige, recruitment of the cream of the crop from the Negro Leagues into the Major Leagues. My pictures do not do the paintings the justice they deserve, but I think you will still be impressed and know why I am gushing over these paintings. Click on the pictures to have a closer look.
The Freedom Tower
Kansas City Dugout, 2005, Oil on canvas
First Colored World Series, 2006, Oil on canvas
Detail, First Colored World Series
Bullet Rogan, 2004, Oil on canvas
Detail, Bullet Rogan
Josh Gibson, 2006, Oil on canvas
Martin Dihigo, 2006, Oil on Canvas
Martin Dihilgo, detail
Diz and Satch, 2004, Oil on canvas
Detail, Diz and Satch
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