FiveMyles is very pleased to present two artists whose work has been part of American art for the past 60 years. Although their work differs from each other in its imagery, both Otto Neals and Emmett Wigglesworth address a strong commitment to the shared African American experience. 

The two artists exemplify the 18th century German philosopher Herder’s conviction that, “all art is an expression of the experiences of the person who makes it. It is also a communication with those who share the cultural values and knowledge of the group of people to whom the artist, geographically and/or intellectually belongs.” The pleasure of this exhibition is the work’s insistence to communicate these experiences.

The interconnected serpentine forms and jewel-like color-patterns in Emmett Wigglesworth paintings and constructions most frequently use images of people reaching out to those nearby or even to those in an adjacent work. For Wigglesworth this is a reminder that we need to search for, and respond, to the shared spiritual truths that bind us together.  

Otto Neals works in a traditional figurative mode using multi-media bronze and marble sculpture, oil and pastels. One may label the work Afro-Romanticism; it expresses a deep belief in the possibility of a state of beauty and purity.

Both artists have been members of the Fulton Art Fair for 60 years. They are a living legacy. The Fulton Art Fair will be Continuing the Legacy by celebrating it’s sixtieth anniversary this June.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Otto Neals, was born 1930. He attended Westinghouse Vocational High School in NYC, and worked over 30 years at the postal services to support himself as an artist. He retired as Head Illustrator. A painter, sculptor, and illustrator, his work is featured in public and private collections around the country and abroad. His statue of a young boy, located in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park has become a well loved landmark.

Emmett Wigglesworth, a muralist, painter, sculptor, poet and political activist, attended the Philadelphia College of Art. He has exhibited throughout the U.S. and in Ghana. His mural commissions include those at PS 181 Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, the NY Cultural Council, Metropolitan Transit Authority, and Kings County Hospital. In addition to the books he has illustrated for McGraw Hill, Harper and Row and Macmillan Press, he also designed the interior of the Bed Stuy Theatre in Brooklyn.

 

GALLERY HOURS:

Thursday through Sunday, 1pm to 6pm; or by appointment. 

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DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

FiveMyles is in part supported by the New York State Council for the Arts, Public Funds from the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, the Greenwich Collection, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation. The panel discussion is made possible thanks to a Humanities NY Action Grant.