Auction Link: Swann per the Ebony Magazine / Johnson Publishing Company Collection
In 1970 Turtel Onli directed a tutoring program for at risk urban youth at the historic South Side Community Art Center whose Executive Director at the time was Herbert Nipson, who was also the Executive Editor of Ebony Magazine. Nipson strongly suggested Onli submit slides to Johnson Publishing to be considered for its emerging collection of important fine art by African Americans.
At the next B.A.G. meeting Onli asked Smoote to take slides of his works and explained to Smoote the opportunity. Ultimately this led to both of them having works included in this landmark collection of amazing fine art from the minds and talents of practicing Black Artists.
At the time Onli and Smoote were barely 20 years old.
"Provenance" This is one of Smoote's watermelon themed works that led B.A.G. to embrace the iconic watermelon as its logo and transitional object.
The above works of innovative fine art are included in the January 2020 Swann Galleries auction of 100 works from the fabulous Johnson Publishing Company Art Collection.
