From September 13 – December 15, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center will have on view the art exhibition Resurgence – Rise Again: The art of Ben Jones. Featuring large-scale artwork that brings awareness to the plight and ascension of humankind, Ben’s artistic practice is inspired by African spiritualism and ritual, and revolutionary struggles, especially of the people of Cuba.
Ben Jones: Artist, Activist, and Educator
Born in 1941 in New Jersey, Ben received his MFA from Pratt University, and an MA from New York University, and a BFA from Paterson University. He is recognized as one the most important African
American artists of his generation, noted by the Gramma International of Havana, Cuba where he has made over eighty cultural exchange visits since the 1970’s.
His Multimedia installations reflect his extensive travel and research in Europe, South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States. Jones has also received many awards and grants, which include The Puffin Foundation in 2005, two National Endowment for the Arts grants in 2007 and 1974-1975, as well the Joan Mitchell Foundation grant in 2002 and more.
Jones has also lectured at numerous universities, cultural institutions, and museums around the world such as Harvard University, the Wilfredo Lam Center in Cuba, and the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana.