MFA Celebrates John Wilson: A Retrospective of Resilience and Humanity
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) has launched a poignant retrospective honoring John Wilson, a revered local artist and alumnus of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts University. The exhibition, co-organized with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features 110 works that encapsulate Wilson’s prolific 60-year career, spotlighting themes of racial injustice, resilience, and community.
Originally from Roxbury, Wilson’s art deeply reflects his commitment to portraying the Black experience and familial love amid racial and economic strife. Despite his significant local following, many, including local landscape painter Nancy Sabelski, expressed sadness over Wilson’s limited exposure during his lifetime. "It’s painful but not surprising that this wonderful person’s work has not been well exposed to the general public," she stated, noting she only discovered Wilson after graduation.
The exhibition includes haunting preliminary sketches for “The Incident,” a mural lost to time, capturing the grim history of lynchings during the Jim Crow era. The show illustrates Wilson’s ability to handle difficult conversations through art, with his use of contrast bringing beauty to darker moments.
Wilson’s journey took him from Boston to Paris and Mexico, where he was influenced by abstract techniques and indigenous art. His renowned sculpture "Eternal Presence," a seven-foot bronze piece, aims to uplift Black identity and community resilience, and is featured in a film within the exhibit.
The retrospective spans Wilson’s multifaceted artistry, culminating in his tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His bust of King, displayed alongside technical studies, was the first of an African American in the U.S. Capitol. “Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson” runs through June 22, with tickets available online.
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