Artist Lavett Ballard Leans into the Chaos for Time Magazine Cover

February 5, 2023 NEWSLETTER

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HOW LAVETT BALLARD LEANED INTO THE CHAOS FOR TIME MAGAZINE'S 2023 BHM COVER

By P. Andrews-Keenan

What happens when you get a call from Time Magazine asking you to tackle cover art for their Black History Month cover titled “Division & Destiny: How to Build a Truly Equal American Democracy”. The cover story was penned by Isabel Wilkerson, author of the disturbing yet prescient 2017 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Artist Lavett Ballard decided to step into ‘the chaos’.

Unlike the artist's Rosa Parks cover, where the direction was clear, Ballard was offered carte blanch to dig into her tool box and create whatever she chose. After reading Wilkerson’s afterword to the issue she says, “I needed to show the chaos with this piece.

All images courtesy of artist.

READ THE ENTIRE STORY OF 'CHAOS' AND THE ELEMENTS IN THE PIECE HERE

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The Chaos of CASTE

31x29

Mixed Media Collage

Coming soon as a limited edition print

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Casteaway

10x13

Mixed Media Collage

Discontented

13x10

Mixed Media Collage

“Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited”

Dramatic multi-media exhibition showcases the many faces of Black giving

Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP) hosted a ribbon cutting on February 2nd for the outstanding multi-media photographic exhibition Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

The photos were compelling, and the specially curated Chicago section of the exhibit was particularly arresting with its black backdrop. Each local philanthropist celebrated had a shadow box of memorabilia that further engaged the viewer with historical data. The exhibition is free to the public and continues through April with a series of activities and talks planned across the city. A full schedule of activities can be found here:

Photos courtesy of Tony Smith

Dr. Carol Adams curated a timeline of Chicago history that appears in tandem with the national traveling exhibit. It charts the city’s history from post slavery and reconstruction, to today. Local icons and legends photographed by Tony Smith are part of the exhibition.

Eric Hotchkiss, Exhibition Designer, Author of Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropist

Valaida Fullwood, Norman Clark, CAAIP Interim Director, Claudette Baker, Project Manager, The Soul of Philanthropy, Photographer Charles W. Thomas Jr., Jessyca Dudley, Chair The Soul of Philanthropy Chicago, Dr. Carol Adams, Local Curator Chicago, and Daniel Schulman, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE).

Noted photographer Tony Smith (above) captured the images for the Chicago portion of The Soul of Philanthropy exhibition.

See local icon, Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chairman and CEO of Milhouse Engineering, in the Chicago portion of the exhibition, photographed by Tony Smith.

Eric Hotchkiss is a Chicago industrial designer and engineer whose father was an artist. He created this mobile from iron in the tradition of North Carolina blacksmiths and iron workers. Author Valaida Fullwood, the creative force behind the exhibition, is a native of North Carolina and the two consulted on this piece.

Pigment International will print its first Black Fine Art Gallery Guide this March to coincide with the release of its fourth magazine. The aesthetic will be in keeping with our award winning Pigment Magazine and our inaugural cover will feature Waterkolours Fine Art Gallery in Memphis. Additionally, we will profile the gallery and some of their artists. We invite your gallery to be included with a photo listing, an artist profile or gallery profile. Click the image above to order or e-mail us at [email protected]