vertical diptych, framed together; black and white; two views--bottom image: construction workers behind chain link fence on a construction site; top image: figure on a tall folding ladder working on timber frame building with brick chimney or tower at center; received in white frame

The Builders (For Jacob Lawrence), 2019

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Willie Birch was born and raised in New Orleans, where he still lives and works. This large composition honors the workers and community in the city that perpetually rebuild and make improvements to homes and businesses there, expecially in the long impact of hurricane damage. At first glance it might appear to be one continuous scene; but it is bisected in the center and presents a before (bottom) and after (top) sequence of gradual progress. Birch notes that his ambitious painting is in honor of artist Jacob Lawrence, who made a series of works depicting Black builders, taking pride in neighborhood renovations, late in life.

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Details
Title
The Builders (For Jacob Lawrence)
Artist Life
born 1942
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2022.23.1a,b
Curator Approved

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vertical diptych, framed together; black and white; two views--bottom image: construction workers behind chain link fence on a construction site; top image: figure on a tall folding ladder working on timber frame building with brick chimney or tower at center; received in white frame
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