These bold characters with exaggerated features
are reminiscent of another distinguished artist
that hails from the Triangle. Ernie Barnes, born
in Durham, NC, is one of the most famous and
highly regarded African American painters (and
incidentally a NFL football player). Amongst
his illustrious career, his work was often featured on the television show Good Times as
paintings done by the character JJ. McLaurin,
like Barnes, implores the same skill to instill
rhythm and patterns to create the illusion of fluidity and movement in stark still paintings.
After it was desegregated, upon inquiry, Barnes
was told by a docent at our own North Carolina
Museum of Art located here in the Capitol that
there were no paintings by “Negro artist” because “Your people don’t express themselves
that way.” McLaurin says that Barnes helped to
“break the art barrier” and it was demonstrated
when he was asked back to the museum decades
later for a solo exhibition. Perhaps also like
Barnes, we will one day see this young artist’s
work hanging in the NCMA.
Other painters he includes as his favorites are
Leonardo da Vinci and Charles White. Drawing inspiration and networking with local artists
Shawn Etheridge, Christopher Terrell, and
Marwin El Hicheri has spawned multiple art
events around town. The goal of these artists is
to work towards giving Raleigh a cultural happening every night of the week. They continually work together in coordinating events that
combine visual art, comedy, fashion, food, and
music.
Beginning as an artist merely showing at the
PMG, McLaurin now owns management position at the gallery. His new role allows him to
find new talent, coordinate art shows for the
featured artists, and come up with innovative
uses for the space. If you’re looking for somewhere out of the ordinary to throw a party, PMG
just might be the place as it is now available for
party rentals.
He affirms that a major part of the art scene
24
www.simplyelevate.com
in Raleigh is all to do with First Friday. This
monthly celebration finds Glenwood South
bustling with individuals, couples, families, and
groups of friends. The Carter Building features
some 75 artists and an assortment of businesses
including both a wine and a record shop.
With a calmer version of house music thumping in the background, a laid back atmosphere is
created which lends itself perfectly for mingling
and networking. The wine tasting next door to
PMG helps facilitate the sociality of the evening
by providing eight different wines for $3. Even
with its 3 different levels, The Carter Building
is packed full of a diverse mixture of people
inquiring about art, business, jewelry, clothing,
and each other.
McLaurin views art and culture as a form of
relief and release for the human race. Even in
times of financial hardships or other crisis this is
what he says we “all we have to go back to.” If
you do happen to be looking for a little uplifting
and venture downtown into his gallery, be prepared to come back. He assures me that every
new face that comes comes back again. And
again. They never stop, and it is that support
that keeps him doing what he does best.
To view McLaurin’s art:
Instagram - Pinnacle of Black Art
Facebook - Keith McLaurin/ Swift Cream Factory Images
In person - 14B Glenwood, Pitch Media Gallery
Raleigh, NC