Today, we celebrate what would have been John Biggers’ 100th birthday!
Watch as Michelle Barnes from Community Artists' Collective discusses the immense impact of this legendary artist on the city he called home and its people.
John Biggers, the founding chairman of the art department at what is now Texas Southern University in Houston, mentored and taught African American artists and teachers from 1949 to 1983. A respected figure in Houston’s art scene, he advocated for racial equality and spoke out against injustices. He made significant contributions to Houston before his passing in 2001.
The #CivicArtCollection of the City of Houston managed by Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, is proud to possess six of his artworks, five of which are located at the Houston Public Library W.L.D. Johnson Neighborhood branch.
#HoustonMOCA #HouMOCA #HouCityArt #HoustonArtist #Htown #Houston #HoustonPublicLibrary #HoustonTelevision #HTV
John Biggers, the much-beloved African American artist and muralist, will have celebrated his 100th birthday tomorrow, April 13th. In celebration of his centenary, listen to our Poet Laureate, Aris Kian Brown, exalt the great artist in “Ode to John Thomas Biggers.”
Born in 1924 in North Carolina, John Biggers was the founding chairman of the art department at what is now Texas Southern University in Houston. He mentored and taught African American artists and teachers from 1949 to 1983. Biggers was a respected figure in Houston's art scene, advocating for racial equality and speaking out against injustices. He passed away in 2001 in Houston, where he lived for many years and made significant contributions. The #CivicArtCollection of the City of Houston is fortunate to have six of his artworks, including the breathtaking "The Quilting Party," which is currently on display at the Wortham Theater.
Ode to John Thomas Biggers
Aris Kian Brown, Houston Poet Laureate
Oh, regal artiste, master maker of the mural,
eye for an everyday beauty we didn’t know to name.
You were born in a shotgun house,
and made its memory a masterpiece in every mosaic.
Your work, brass-brown and beautiful, borrowed
the myths of our mothers, held their hands,
and illuminated their holy. You showed the honest of us,
never shied from our struggle. Colored the injustice,
made a record of this country, and found grace
in our gathering. John, you geometric godsend,
holding all our African and American and otherwordly
in the same stroke. You broke the mold and built
a legacy. Lead Houston down a path of honor,
Black brilliance embodied, Black archive reimagined,
Black people made warm by the quilting of your pen.
We thank you again and again, for the days, gifts and beauty
on this earth that you gave us and still to this day, keep giving.
#HoustonMOCA #HouMOCA #HouCityArt #HoustonArtist #Htown #Houston #HoustonPublicLibrary #HoustonTelevision #HTV #HoustonPoetLaureate #HouPoetLaureate
MOCA develops policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in Houston. MOCA is a resource for the community.
