An exhibition of selected paintings and sculptures by American artist Vanessa German will be on display this fall in the Elizabeth Stone Harper Gallery. The exhibit, called Vanessa German: ritual & resilience, will appear from Sept. 6 through Nov. 30.

Later in the semester, German will visit the PC campus for a talk and live performance. The event, called citizen artist: if my hands were anything other than hands, will be held Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. A reception will follow.

Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, excluding holidays.

The Citizen Artist

German is a vibrant and inspiring painter, sculptor, performer, writer, activist and poet. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she has rapidly gained acclaim for her passionate, colorful, and iconic paintings and sculptures. She has received many prestigious awards for both her artwork and her bold characterized performances.

German is a “citizen artist,” reminding us of the “town crier” or “public announcer,” calling out to her viewers with supportive, good news. She shouts out support and encouragement for all to perform, for all to follow our dreams, for all to be strong and persevere.

As a citizen artist, German explores the power of art and love as a transformative force in the dynamic cultural ecosystem of neighborhoods and communities. She is based in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Homewood, the community that is the inspiration and driving force behind her powerful performance work and whose cast-off street relics form the language of her elaborately embellished sculptures. She founded Love Front Porch and the ARThouse, a community arts initiative for the children of Homewood.

Appearances and Exhibits

German’s work appears in numerous private and public collections including:

• Everson Museum of Art
• Figge Art Museum
• Flint Institute of Arts
• Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
• David C. Driskell Center
• Snite Museum of Art
• Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
• Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College

German’s artwork has been widely exhibited, most recently at the Mattress Factory, Everson Museum of Art, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Studio Museum, Ringling Museum of Art, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Her work has also been featured on:

• “CBS Sunday Morning”
• NPR’s “All Things Considered”
• The Huffington Post
• O Magazine
• Essence Magazine

She received the 2015 Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant, the 2017 Jacob Lawrence Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the 2018 United States Artist Grant.

About The Harper Center Gallery

The Harper Center Gallery hosts four exhibitions annually: two exhibitions of work from nationally/internationally recognized artists, the Senior Art Major Exhibition, and the Annual Student Exhibition. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free.