International Visions is proud to present our
Inaugural Exhibition
"FORTY FOUR"

January 18 to February 28, 2009

Painter, Preston Sampson is creating “Forty Four Portraits” of Barack Obama. Sampson using President- elect Barack Obama for his subject matter makes colorful, expressionistic paintings that pulsate with rhythm and energy.  In this new work, he explores the moods and expressions of Mr. Obama, our forty fourth president.   His brilliant colors and energetic brush strokes make these paintings a combination of lively abstraction and representational social commentary. His goal is for his figurative portrayals “to emote, touch and move you to the center of it all.” Sampson’s paintings are in many public collections such as; The Washington Convention Center, Bank of America, the Washington Post, and the National Education Association. He also is in the private collection of, Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Angelou, and Darrell Walker.

Mixed media artist Charly Palmer takes us on a journey, “40 years: 1968-2008”.  Palmer uniquely chronicles the part of American history which is so often been overlooked. His artworks are social, political and often focus on African American historical subjects.  These start at the Middle passage through slavery, the Jim Crow era, and extend to civil rights, the Negro Sports League and the music era. His historical focus also includes Native Americans and the Jewish Holocaust.  Palmer is an award-winning artist who has made a career not only in Graphic Design and Illustration, but in creating timeless and fascinating fine art works which continue to be added to the collections of thousands of art enthusiasts all across the country. His paintings have been featured in galleries such as, Avisca Fine Art and Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia. Palmer’s paintings are also in public and private collections, including: Honorable Maynard Jackson, Honorable Andrew Young, The Apex Museum and Atlanta Life Insurance in Atlanta, Georgia and Alabama State University.

Photographer Roy Lewis revisits Africa with, “Festac Revisited-1977”.  Renowned photographer and activist Roy Lewis has chronicled the life and culture of the global African descendants of the Diaspora. The Second World Black African Festival of Art and Culture (Festac) was held in Lagos and Kaduna Nigeria, January 15- February 12, 1977. Lewis was a participant who documented the spectacular event. His photographic talents mature through his coverage of the Civil Rights Movements and the growth of the public role of African Americas. Lewis photograph has allowed him access and the trust of the nation’s most powerful spiritual leaders including Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He has captured the image of America’s most memorable artists from BB King to John Coltrane to Oprah Winfrey; he has been the personal photographer for poet Gwendolyn Brooks, writer Sterling A. Brown and Amiri Baraka. He is currently a staff photographer for the “Washington Informer” and “About…Time Magazine.”

 

Gallery Hours: 11am to 6pm Wednesday – Saturday or by Appointment
2629 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008