In honor of Veteran’s Day I would like to honor the art work of John Thomas Biggers (1924-2001) by showcasing one of his most celebrated pieces “Shotguns” (1987) acrylic on canvas.
Biggers was known for his murals that combined depictions of rural Southern life and African influences, geometric shapes and quilt designs.
“The recurring symbol of the simple shotgun with a woman standing on the porch can be interpreted not only as the simplest type of housing but also as a reference to women, through whom all creation comes. The repeated triangular roof shape reminds one of the pieces of a quilt, a beautiful whole cloth made from many irregular and useless pieces, another symbol of the creative force.” – Robert Farris Thompson
In 1943 he was drafted into the US Navy and stationed at my alma mater, Hampton University, where he made models of military equipment for training. n that same year, his talents were recognized when his work was included in a landmark exhibit Young Negro Art at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.Afterward, Biggers began to study art. At Hampton, Biggers also studied under African-American painter Charles White and sculptor Elizabeth Catlett.
His career flourished and he went on to found the art department at Texas . Southern University and become one of the most prominent African American painters post Harlem Renaissance.
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