Two Shows at Mango Tango Art Gallery

Mango Tango Art Gallery is pleased to unveil two stellar shows Saturday May 31 from 5:30 to 8:30. A trio of talented musicians, Vince Edwards, Louis Taylor and Ras Abu will offer some great jazz tunes. 

Brian Murphy presents “Solitary Moments” and Ademola Olugefola displays an intimate selection of his Mango Tango 2005 show, “Absolute Ademola.”

Brian Murphy’s exhibition was advertised as one of last month’s shows, but alas, the postal service did not deliver the paintings until a couple of weeks ago. Murphy simply captures the essence of a downtown street or the ambiance of a quiet beach in each work with unblended colors and with quick brushstrokes. His education at Savannah College of Art and Design gave him a great artistic foundation. However, he has created masterpieces by steadfastly painting for years. Each oil-on-canvas or gouache on paper celebrates a moment in time.

Murphy notes that as an impressionist artist he is influenced by his study of both past masters and of current artists he admires. “But an outdoor setting speaks to me through the ephemeral light. That is the pulse of each of my paintings.”

Ademola Olugebefola was born into the Thomas family in Charlotte Amalie, a family who moved to New York when he was four years old. His education included the Printmaking Workshop and Fashion Institute of Technology. 

Olugebelo became a pioneer in creating Blackness in art in the 1960s and 70s in the Weusi Academy of African Art and Studies. He and other Black artists strived to both transform and destroy the derogatory art images built on enslavement. He notes “We wanted to create art that was independent of European aesthetics. We wanted to create art that exemplified excellence and portrayed much of our positive, constructive history.”

Gallery owner Jane Coombes calls Ademola Olugefola a “quintessential artist.” He has worked in fashion, music, set design, and the film industry. He has exhibited in many one-man and group shows at the Brooklyn Museum, the Studio Museum of Harlem, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Corcoran Gallery. His mural commissions include The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Harlem Cultural Council.

In addition to the dynamic live music in the parking lot, appetizers and wine will also add to the festivities.

The show continues for one month. View the show at the gallery’s website: mangotangoart.com. For more information call 340-777-3060.