Edward Biberman, "I Had A Dream"
The art of Edward Biberman is currently on view in a special installation, and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
this Monday, I want to make sure our audiences know about his painting
of Dr. King on display. Acquired last June thanks to the generosity of
the American Art Council, I Had a Dream was Biberman’s
response to Dr. King’s 1968 assassination. Prominently placed in the
exhibition space, Dr. King’s eyes are unavoidable and draw you into his
vision and the gallery.
Edward Biberman moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles in 1936 and is best known for later paintings such as The White Fire Escape,
in LACMA’s collection. Such urban scenes reveal his affinity for the
seemingly mundane details of midcentury modern architecture, which he
illuminated through his attention to the light, shadow, and geometry of
both subject matter and composition. But throughout his career he
created important figurative paintings of labor, social struggle, and
political tension, such as Conspiracy
(1955), as well as significant portraiture. His portraits of African
American cultural and political leaders are especially noteworthy: he
created a monumental portrait of Paul Robeson, and his Lena Horne is in
the collection of the National Portrait Gallery where it has graced
enormous banners on their façade.
I Had a Dream is unique for Biberman in that it zooms in on
the civil rights leader’s face. Though we see only Dr. King’s eyes,
nose, and mustache, his iconic features are instantly recognizable. The
searing intensity of his gaze is not confrontational but steadfast and
visionary. This is a portrait with which all can connect. A large and
powerful painting like I Had a Dream not only represents one of
the most important figures of the twentieth century but demonstrates
the devastating impact of Dr. King’s death on all Americans and can
remind us of the significance of his legacy today.
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