spotlight

Sculpture, Painting

Feature: William M. Duffy


“You have to be dedicated, but also giving of yourself.” — William M. Duffy


"African Heads" by William Duffy, prismacolor on paper

"African Heads" by William Duffy, prismacolor on paper

Artist, William M. Duffy

Everybody calls him “Duffy”. You say that name to anyone in the visual art community over 30 and they immediately know whom you’re talking about. A Louisville native who earned his BFA in Painting from the Louisville School of Art during its fabled heyday in Anchorage back in the 1970’s, he turned to sculpture after chancing upon an automobile collision that freed some marble from a pillar. He was fascinated by the piece of stone and took to it with a hammer and screwdriver when he got home.

Needless to say, William M. Duffy obtained the proper tools, but the story illustrates the unpretentious, workaday touch that seems characteristic of this artist. He has distinguished himself as a sculptor ever since, and a new exhibit at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Folks and Wee Folks: The Work of William M. Duffy, puts a long overdue spotlight on the man and his work.

Duffy was raised on Magnolia Avenue in the West End of Louisville, which, at that time, was predominantly Black, but the elementary school he attended, Virginia Ave. Elementary, was more balanced racially. “In my school, I would say it was closer to 50% White/50% Black back then,” recalls Duffy. He attended Shawnee High School, by which time he already knew he wanted to be an artist. Louisville School of Art came next, where he studied painting with Bob Barton.

"Electric Slide" by William Duffy

"Electric Slide" by William Duffy

But the most crucial influence in those early years was Gloucester Caliman “G.C.” Coxe (1907-1999). The most notable African American artist in Kentucky in that period, he was known as ‘the dean of Louisville’s African American artists.’ Duffy recalls, “He ran the Louisville Art Workshop on 35th Street back in the day, and we all called him, ‘the Master.” Duffy, along with Ed Hamilton, Sylvia Clay, Eddie Davis, and several others were a loose group around Coxe that eventually was given formal shape as “Montage.”

"I Fear None" by William Duffy, silk screen

"I Fear None" by William Duffy, silk screen

“It was difficult at that time for any of us as individuals to get a show in Louisville, so we formed Montage because we thought there would be strength in numbers. Part of it was that there was a militant, political edge in much of our work, and that seemed to make it even more difficult to be accepted by traditional galleries.” Montage exhibited as a group for several years, including at The Speed Museum, before disbanding, but this was happening at a time when several young, outspoken Black people holding a meeting could too easily arouse fear and suspicion. “Ed’s Shelby Street studio was kind of our center,” says Duffy, “and one night we emerged from a meeting there to find four police cars waiting for us with questions – ‘what kind of meeting was this?’ – that kind of thing…because the neighbors had called them; and that was in a predominantly Black neighborhood!”

The group also sought opportunities elsewhere. “G.C., Ed, and myself were in a show in Atlanta, so we drove to get to the exhibit opening, and then almost nobody came because the Falcons had a big game at the same time,” recalls Duffy, laughing at the memory. They returned to Louisville the same night driving for 8 straight hours in hammering, blinding rain.

"A Little Bird Told Me" by William Duffy, 7.75x5x7in, alabaster sculpture (2011)

"A Little Bird Told Me" by William Duffy, 7.75x5x7in, alabaster sculpture (2011)

But Louisville remained home for all three men, a commitment to the community that Duffy worries is not carrying through with younger generations of African American artists. Having taught youth art classes for over 30 years now (including with LVA), Duffy has seen a lot of talent come up through the education system only to move on to other cities that afford more opportunity. “G.C. stayed here, Ed stayed here…we came together in support of each other, and I’m not certain that is happening enough with young Black artists in Louisville right now.”

“You have to be dedicated, but also giving of yourself. I still hear young people who have the attitude, ‘This is what we need – this is how you can help us… almost never what do you need – how can we help you?” It is a different ethos from Duffy’s halcyon days with Montage. “We were always encouraging each other, always working to help each other out. I built the turntable in Ed Hamilton’s studio that he still uses today. We always did for each other.”

Duffy speaks about his life with self-effacing ease, yet not without a sure sense of his place in the history of African American artists in Louisville. While arguably not as celebrated as some of his contemporaries, his legacy of teaching ensures a lasting influence on the past, present, and future of the Louisville arts community.

Duffy’s work can be found in numerous private, corporate, and public collections, including Phillip Morris USA, Brown-Forman Corporation, Kentucky Fried Chicken (now YUM! Brands, Inc.), Humana Inc., The Louisville Orchestra, and The Speed Art Museum.

"At Rest" by William Duffy, 6.5x11.6.5in, bronze sculpture (2011)

"At Rest" by William Duffy, 6.5x11.6.5in, bronze sculpture (2011)

Folks and Wee Folks

April 3- May 25, 2017

Monday – Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm

Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
1701 West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Louisville, KY 40203
502-583-4100
kcaah.org

Hometown: Louisville, KY
Age: 63
Education: BFA in Painting, Louisville School of Art
Gallery Representative: E&S Gallery (Louisville, KY)
Website: http://www.wmduffy.com/

"On My Block" by William Duffy

"On My Block" by William Duffy

"Queen for a Day" by William Duffy, alabaster sculpture on wood block

"Queen for a Day" by William Duffy, alabaster sculpture on wood block

Artist, Duffy with his wife Sherrolyn. Photo by Jason Harris.

Artist, Duffy with his wife Sherrolyn. Photo by Jason Harris.

Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2017 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

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Are you interested in being on Artebella? Click here to learn more.

Mixed Media

Vignette: Jacque Parsley


"The waste of the world becomes my art." - Kurt Schwitters


A photograph of Parsley in her studio.

A photograph of Parsley in her studio.

Jacque Parsley claims this is her favorite quote, and it speaks to an aspect of the lives of artists that bears a spotlight: that long before it become fashionable or socially conscious to recycle, artists were repurposing all kinds of materials. It is a part of their DNA to see potential in things discarded by others.

For Parsley, this manifests it self in collage techniques that incorporate previously used elements. Her sculptures are constructed from a range of odds and ends, but the doll parts are a signature motif for her. Gentle and childlike, but also full of the connotations of dread, menace, and the tragic loss of innocence that have attached themselves to dolls that have been relegated to the dumpster.

"Superb Hibiscus" by Jacque Parsley, 18x15x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $300 | BUY NOW

"Superb Hibiscus" by Jacque Parsley, 18x15x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $300 | BUY NOW

The artist alludes to exactly such associations: "Collage to me is like a visual daydream. It is serious play. You delve into your subconscious, and let your intuition take over. When you come out of ‘the zone’ you make rational corrections.”

In her new 2D mixed media pieces the collection of disparate imagery speak to the power of memory, which collage is perfectly suited for. “I use the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life, including old photos, vintage postcards, advertising trade cards, and stamps from my father’s stamp collection.”

Parsley’s work will be featured in the upcoming Mix it UP exhibit at New Editions Gallery in Lexington, KY, and in the Day of the Dead show at Craft Gallery and Mercantile in Louisville, KY. 

You can visit Jacque parsley in her studio in Louisville during OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND, November 5 & 6, 2016. The event benefits scholarship programs for Louisville Visual Art and University of Louisville’s Hite Art Institute and tickets may be purchased here

Age: 69 going on 70
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Education: BFA Louisville School of Art; MA University of Louisville; MFA University of Louisville
Website: kentuckyartists.com
Gallery Representation: Craft Gallery and Mercantile, Galerie Hertz

"Miss Grits" by Jacque Parsley, 17x14x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $250 | BUY NOW

"Miss Grits" by Jacque Parsley, 17x14x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $250 | BUY NOW

"I Remember Florence" by Jacque Parsley, 18x15x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $250 | BUY NOW

"I Remember Florence" by Jacque Parsley, 18x15x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $250 | BUY NOW

"Eastern Hemisphere" by Jacque Parsley, 20x17x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $300 | BUY NOW

"Eastern Hemisphere" by Jacque Parsley, 20x17x1in, mixed media collage (2016), $300 | BUY NOW

Are you interested in being on Artebella? Click here to learn more.

Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2016 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

Please contact josh@louisvillevisualart.org for further information on advertising through Artebella.

Please contact josh@louisvillevisualart.org for further information on advertising through Artebella.