August 30, 2007
Renowned sculptor Jackson returns to SIUC
CARBONDALE, Ill. — For the first time since he earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1969, artist Preston Jackson will return to SIUC on Sept. 7.
Jackson will attend a reception beginning at 4 p.m. and to give a gallery talk about his current exhibit in the University Museum at 6 p.m. The gallery talk is in the museum auditorium.
The exhibit, Jackson's sculpture collection, "Fresh from Julieanne's Garden," is on display now and runs through Oct. 8. The collection explores the relationships between whites and blacks during the days of slavery.
Media Advisory
Photographers, camera crews and reporters are welcome to attend the reception for an opportunity to interview Preston Jackson. For background, log on to www.artic.edu/~pjacks/index1.html. To contact the artist before the reception, email him at pjackson@artic.edu.
Jackson's artist's statement says, in part, "This work reflects a gentle, but personal look at our history…. It is not confrontational, but it speaks the truth about treatment of African American people in this country. The purpose of the work is to preserve cultural history and explicate attitudes within and outside the African American community."
Jackson is a well-known, multi-award winning sculptor. In 1998 he won the state's highest honor for personal achievement, the Order of Lincoln Medallion. He also won the Rhodell Owens Award from Peoria City Beautiful. His commissioners include the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, City of Peoria, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Brookgreen Gardens in South Caroline and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. His work includes memorial busts of such figures as Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglass and Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. Jackson is a sculpture professor and is head of the Figurative Area of the Institute of Chicago School of Art. He also owns The Raven Gallery, home of the Contemporary Art Center in Peoria.