Fine contemporary art gallery in Austin, Texas

Janel Jefferson: New Work

March 1 - 29, 2014

Take a virtual show of the show here.

Read Jeanne Claire Van Ryzin's review in The Austin American Statesman here.

Jefferson’s work examines black American ancestry from the 1800’s to the present. Skin tones, bone structure and customs reference a Cameroon, European, Asian and North African heritage. In her 2014 show at Wally Workman Gallery, Jefferson specifically focuses on the tradition of millinery in black American communities. During and after slavery, black women who worked in the service industry broke away from their uniforms on Sunday and wore decorated hats to church. For many black women, it was their one day of individualism. Hats became an important symbol of personal freedom, expression and success.

Composed as formal portraits, inferring a certain wealth, Jefferson’s pieces epitomize a history that is under-represented and untold in fine art. Images of nameless, poor and struggling black Americans dominate the last two centuries in while images of successful black Americans have been given little importance. Jefferson’s portraits are intended to bring the latter to the forefront.

Established in 1980 and located in a 100 year old historic house in Austin’s art district, the Wally Workman Gallery specializes in emerging and collected talent. The gallery has two stories of exhibition space where one can view the 53 artists currently represented, including the contemporary talents of Will Klemm, Joyce Howell, and Ian Shults as well as the figurative work of Tracey Harris and Fatima Ronquillo.

The Wally Workman Gallery is proud to be involved with Aether Magazine and Art Austin, promoting the visual arts in Austin. Read in depth accounts of our local creative scene at www.aetherart.com and discover the many galleries that are a part of it at www.artaustin.org.

Parking is available in the front lot as well as the lot behind the gallery, accessed from the alley off Blanco and Harthan St. Unrestricted street parking is available on Blanco St. and parking is allowed after 7pm on Harthan St.