Museum purchases 'Black Friday,' lends it to Purdue's BCC

The painting 'Black Friday' by Chicago artist Gerald Griffin, to be on loan to Purdue's Black Cultural Center from the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette starting in March, depicts three women on an auction block to be sold as slaves. (Photo provided) Download Photo

"Black Friday," an oil painting by Chicago artist Gerald Griffin, will be installed at the Black Cultural Center on long-term loan, thanks to the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette.

The 80" x 55" painting shows three black women in the foreground chained to an auction block. On one side of the hazy background is an outline of a grand plantation home nestled in lush countryside. On the other side the viewer can make out an image of a lynching.

The museum purchased the painting when it was exhibited in the museum's recent 24-piece exhibition of Griffin's work, titled "Ambiguous Reflections of Race and Identity: A Question of Color," sponsored by the BCC.

Griffin said, "Today, when one hears the term 'Black Friday,' we often think of a frenzy of consumers fighting over amazing, discounted department store sales ....  However, only six generations ago the term Black Friday would often mean the sale of African men and women and would denote the vast amounts of wealth buyers could amass from owning them."

Kendall Smith, the museum's executive director, said, "We are proud to have the opportunity to acquire this magnificent Gerald Griffin painting for the museum's permanent collection. And our loan of it to the BCC for a long-term exhibit means thousands of people will be able to experience the power of 'Black Friday.'

"The art museum and the BCC have been community partners since our first exhibition together in 2011, 'Parallel Narratives: Preston Jackson and Joyce Owens.'  Since that time, each winter the art museum has presented an exhibition focused on offering the public a greater understanding of African American history and culture through the visual arts."

Renee Thomas, BCC director, said, "We are grateful the art museum has provided vital gallery space to showcase important works by African American artists. The BCC and the art museum are part of the cultural fabric of our community and this collaboration is a logical extension of our missions.  Our partnership has been meaningful, creative and enduring."

"Black Friday" will be installed on the second floor of the BCC in March. The Black Cultural Center is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. It also is open 2 to 9 p.m. Sundays. It is closed on Saturdays. 

Contacts:

Kendall Smith, 765-742-1128, kendall@artlafayette.org

Renee Thomas, 765-494-3092, rathomas@purdue.edu