I first had the privilege of meeting visual artist Darlene Newman a few years ago at a Lantana Projects event, and have been a fan of her work – and of her – ever since. I’m convinced that you’ll be equally impressed if you check out the opening reception for Darlene’s A Capella exhibition this Friday, June 11 from 6-8pm at Caritas Village’s Hope Gallery. Or if you see her Voices of Praise in the Memphis Scene: Rock the Vote exhibition at the Brooks Museum (through August 1). In the meantime, Darlene graciously took a few moments from her busy schedule to talk about her work, artists that she admires, and her thoughts on our community’s greatest opportunities:
Darlene at the MemphisConnect anniversary party
How would you describe your work?
Visual Hyperbole
What or who is your greatest inspiration?
God is my greatest inspiration. He is who I create for and why I am an artist. Otherwise, I’d be a mechanical engineer or an accountant.
Whose artistic work do you most enjoy?
I enjoy Honore Daumier, Egon Schiele, Modigliani; & more currently Peter de Seve, Justin Bua, & Frank Morrison. I also enjoy good ol’ Saturday Morning cartoons (back in the day with the Looney Toons). There are several Memphis artists’ work I enjoy, but I don’t want to name names. I’d leave someone out, I’m sure.
Do you have a favorite piece from your own portfolio?
I think so. It’s called Woman of Substance. It is actually unlike much of the rest of my work. That may be why. It’s more abstract and expressive than usual.
Joy of Bass (ink used for this series was her father's, used to compose music )
How long have you been in Memphis?
Minus the combined 7 years of undergrad and graduate school in other states + 1 year simply living away, 27 years.
What do you feel is Memphis’ greatest strength?
The creativity of its citizens. There are numerous people I meet constantly who are currently using, currently proficient in and are passionate about a specific gift. Poets, authors, singers, dancers, theologians, gospel rappers, and also instrumental musicians who don’t just talk a good game, but are masters.
Where do you feel are Memphis’ greatest opportunities?
This question was probably meant for me to tell about people taking advantage of Memphis’ resources, but the greatest opportunities for Memphis lie within the people who possess the aforementioned creativity. Once Memphis fully taps into us, we can then fully tap into Memphis and form a symbiosis. That symbiosis can then more efficiently make the minds richer of those who consider themselves admirers of or bystanders of the arts. Especially the bystanders.
Striving to Learn
Describe a perfect day in Memphis:
I enjoy spending time at Audubon park by the pond on a nice afternoon. On a Saturday night, I could enjoy a play at the Orpheum.
Learn more about Darlene and her work at Darlene’s Art. Don’t miss her show at Caritas Village, her work on display at Hattiloo Theatre during opening night of The Wiz on June 19, or her contributions to the NIA Artist Collective group exhibition on June 25 on South Main. Become a fan of Darlene’s Art on Facebook for more details!
