Creative Hue Artist Collective, mourns and celebrates the life work and contributions of our fellow pioneer sculptor artist, Eddie Lamar Davis. As many of you may recall, Professor Eddie Davis was unable to attend the opening reception of his last exhibit here in Rochester, “Traditional Beats, New Rhythms,” at the Baobab Cultural Center [see earlier posting on our blog].
Eddie Lamar Davis, a long-time Rochester-area, sculptor, potter, painter and arts educator has been a well-known artist throughout our area for many years. A native of Knoxville, TN, Eddie earned a BA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and in 1973, a MFA from RIT's School of American Crafts. As an artist-in-residence and adjunct professor, he taught ceramics and sculpture throughout New York State, including RIT, Keuka College, Ithaca College, and numerous K-12 schools.
His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout our region including the Memorial Art Gallery, MCC, Germanow Gallery, Artisan Works and many others. He was well known for the large ceramic vases and sculptures that he created, many are in private collections throughout the US and Canada. Some of his portrait sculptures are currently on display at the Baobab Cultural Center in the Neighborhood of the Arts.
In the eighties, he moved from Rochester to rural Yates County where he established a studio; he was featured in a Democrat and Chronicle article, Artists No Longer Feel Bound to the Big City, on Feb. 18, 1990. Two of his commissioned pieces are on permanent display at the Lamberton Conservatory in Highland including a sculpture at the entrance to the conservatory.
In the early nineties, Davis moved back to Knoxville and established a studio. He continued to teach, create, and exhibit his sculptures and paintings including a bronze relief in a Knoxville park. After a courageous battle with cancer, he died in Knoxville on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the age of 66. He continued to work in his studio until the last few weeks of his life. He is survived by three children, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences to all in their family on behalf of a grateful Rochester community.
His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout our region including the Memorial Art Gallery, MCC, Germanow Gallery, Artisan Works and many others. He was well known for the large ceramic vases and sculptures that he created, many are in private collections throughout the US and Canada. Some of his portrait sculptures are currently on display at the Baobab Cultural Center in the Neighborhood of the Arts.
In the eighties, he moved from Rochester to rural Yates County where he established a studio; he was featured in a Democrat and Chronicle article, Artists No Longer Feel Bound to the Big City, on Feb. 18, 1990. Two of his commissioned pieces are on permanent display at the Lamberton Conservatory in Highland including a sculpture at the entrance to the conservatory.
In the early nineties, Davis moved back to Knoxville and established a studio. He continued to teach, create, and exhibit his sculptures and paintings including a bronze relief in a Knoxville park. After a courageous battle with cancer, he died in Knoxville on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the age of 66. He continued to work in his studio until the last few weeks of his life. He is survived by three children, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences to all in their family on behalf of a grateful Rochester community.
Plans are underway to host a memorial service, check our blog for a posting date. Please feel free to share your reflections on our blog.
It was always good to connect with Eddie on his visits to Rochester.. We shared the view of the importance of our work to our community and culture..Especially the value of demonstrating that we must preserve our legacy through the creation of a center for preservation, exhibition and education of the accomplishments of African American Artists and Craftsmen in Rochester. A city where no cultural center dedicated to African Americans save till recently,has lasted has lasted for more than a few years..Faruk Kaiyum
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the dates of the posting related to when Eddie left Rochester NY and moved back to TN is incorrect. I lived with Eddie Davis from 1986 to 1997 and was at that time his loving life partner. We continued to stay in contact until his death. Thank-you Renee Reeves
ReplyDelete