Will Henry Stevens’ life (1881-1949) began and ended in a small riverboat community along the Ohio River, but the years between spent in New Orleans and Western North Carolina were defined by his tireless pursuit of a visual language for his vast creative energy. His enduring curiosity about the natural world, and his belief that there was a purpose – a design – in nature, led him effortlessly between representational and abstraction as he freely adjusted both style and medium to convey nature’s essence.
In this spirit, From the Lowlands to the Highlands includes both landscapes and abstracts capturing the two regions closest to the artist’s heart, the Louisiana bayou and the Appalachian Mountains. The artist was drawn to “humble” scenes such as log cabins, cemeteries, and the mountaineers of Western North Carolina, as well as the bayou and common people of Louisiana. This monumental exhibition will showcase Stevens’ love for nature, his understanding and proficiency with color, materials, and composition, and how two very different environments shaped the career of a Southern Modernist.
Companion Exhibits exploring other dimensions of the work and life of Will Henry Stevens will be produced with our organizational partners Blue Spiral Gallery and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in the Summer 2024 through Winter 2025; details to be announced. Curated by Michael Manes.
