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Bill Hodges Gallery is located in the historic Chelsea Arts Building in Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1979 by Billy E. Hodges, the gallery has become a cornerstone in showcasing and preserving African American art, alongside works from the broader African diaspora and key modernist movements. Over its four-decade history, it has collected, exhibited, and sold artworks by some of the most influential Black artists in art history.
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| Established | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Location | 529 West 20th Street in Manhattan, New York City |
| Owner | Billy E. Hodges |
| Website | https://www.billhodgesgallery.com |
History and Mission
editHodges began collecting in 1976, he details "I went to a gallery named, “The Art Gallery”... and began a conversation with a gentleman named Allen who ran and owned the shop for more than 14 years. He had a small Verve, Picasso lithograph in the window which I think was about $125 and I decided to purchase it. I gave him $35 as a deposit and this began my venture into this obsession, the art of collecting and I’ve carried it. for almost 40 years." By 1979, Hodges had attended more than 50 auctions and purchased more than a dozen works of art. After 3 years of collecting prints, Billy's taste changed and he began seeking and collecting unique, one of a kind, works. To enable these purchases Billy began selling works from his small inventory, establishing A.F.T.U. (Art For The Uncontrolled) Gallery, named for his growing obsession with art, to facilitate the sales. In 1993, Hodges formally opened the Bill Hodges Gallery on Manhattan’s 57th Street, then a major hub for New York’s art scene. After 20 years at this location, the gallery moved to the 2nd floor of 529 West 20th Street in Chelsea, later expanding to its current 5,000 square-foot space on the building’s 10th floor in 2020. The gallery continues to focus on museum-caliber exhibitions and producing fully illustrated catalogs to complement its exhibitions.
Exhibitions and Artists
editBill Hodges Gallery has mounted over 90 exhibitions, featuring works by Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Catlett, amongst others. The gallery has highlighted movements such as the Harlem Renaissance while also introducing contemporary artists like LeRone Wilson. Recent exhibitions, such as Agustín Cárdenas: A Solo Exhibition and Norman Lewis and Richard Hunt reflect the gallery's commitment to curating significant exhibitions and underscoring its dedication to promoting Black artistic contributions historically.
Collections and Contributions
editThe gallery has facilitated the placement of numerous works in prominent public and private collections, including Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Its publications and catalogs often explore themes of racial identity, cultural heritage, and artistic innovation, extending its impact beyond exhibitions to academic and cultural discussions. The gallery's collection holds a myriad of artists spanning generations. Some notable artists include Charles Alston, Benny Andrews, Camille Billops, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Edward Clark, Willie Cole, Beauford Delaney, Melvin Edwards, Lyle Ashton Harris, Joshua Johnson, Wifredo Lam, Edmonia Lewis, Glenn Ligon, Zanele Muholi, Stanley Whitney, Kara Walker, and countless others.
Legacy
editBill Hodges Gallery remains an essential platform for African American art and an influential voice in the broader art market. Its exhibitions and sales contribute significantly to the visibility and valuation of Black artists' work in both historical and contemporary contexts.
References
editHodges, Billy (2017). Norman W. Lewis, et al. Bill Hodges Gallery. p. 4. ISBN 1-891978-27-6.Hadley, Marina (March 12, 2020). "The New Bill Hodges Gallery". Gallery and Studio. Gallery & Studio Arts Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2024.