Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection

April 19 – September 2, 2012
The California African American Museum

This exhibition showcases 73 of the 600 works of art covering 150 years in the personal collection of Arthur Primas. Included are paintings, sculptures and works on paper, with an early piece going back to 1802-03 and the Haitian Revolution. Other important work in the show has been crafted by Edward Bannister, Hale Woodruff, Aaron Douglas, Beauford Delaney, Charles Alston and Richmond Barthé. Many of the artists exhibited carried forward the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, including Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Hughie Lee-Smith, Bob Thompson, Richard Mayhew and Bennie Andrews. There are a number of extremely rare and significant artworks by Charles White and other artists who blossomed during the Civil Rights period like Robert Colescott, Brian Collier, and Howardena Pindell. Black artists have long struggled for inclusion in society’s marketplace of art. Until recently, art history curriculums and literature did not give adequate recognition to African American artists. We applaud Arthur Primas for acknowledging their significant creativity, achievements and contribution to the history of American Art.

The California African American Museum
600 State Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90037
Main Number: (213) 744-7432, Fax number: 213-744-2050
Target Hotline: (213) 744-2132
CAAM RSVP line: (213) 744-2056
The California African American Museum (CAAM) is located in Exposition Park at the corner of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard, west of the 110 (Harbor) Freeway. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena are adjacent to CAAM.

This exhibition was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, California, in association with the Heritage Gallery, Los Angeles, California. Exhibition tour management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.