When I turned eighteen years old, my grandfather stressed the importance of voting by taking me to a tree where he was told that African-Americans were lynched by their neckties on their way to vote. The experience left a profound impression in my mind.
While evolving from a more expressionistic place to one of abstraction, the tie has also evolved. Since 1992, I have deeply explored the interplay between color and music, particularly influenced by the musical art forms born out of African American culture: such as Jazz music, R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Blues. Additionally, my journey has led me to the incorporation of other idioms and symbols that go beyond American existence. Listen to more………….
According to Halima Taha Ph.D. [collectingafricanamericanart.com] , author of Collecting Works on Paper and Canvas (1998) , Kevin Cole, works in a range of mediums, uses repetitive forms and color to create three dimensional structures that invite those who experience his work to reflect upon abstracted references to a necktie used for status, beauty, fashion and the destruction of human life. She further states that “Cole’s work celebrates history, survival, and a personal memory of a time and place.”
David C. Driskell, Distinguished University Professor of Art, University of Maryland observed, “I walked into Kevin’s studio with large northern windows and was immediately surrounded by a series of powerful wallworks that creatively bestride both paintings and sculpture done in an unusually accomplished manner.”
Artist, Art Educator Kevin Cole, born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, has resided in Atlanta, GA. since 1985 where he as received numerous awards both as an artist and arts educator. Receiving his formal education [ B.S. Art Education (1982), University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, AR; M.A. Art Education / Painting (1983), University of Illinois, Champaign, IL; and M.F.A Drawing(1985), Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL] in fine arts and art education then moved to Atlanta.