Dancing on the Edge of the Abyss: Abstraction by African American Women Artists

Wes and Missy Cochran of LaGrange, Georgia, have been acquiring works by American masters of printmaking for more than 40 years. During that time, they have generously shared aspects of their collection with other communities around the country from Cleveland to Baton Rouge. Organized by Curator of American Art Jonathan Frederick Walz, Ph.D. and Columbus State University alumnus Isaac Sabelhaus, this project presents a new selection of over two dozen infrequently seen works on paper by 18 different women. These artists remained true to their vision of exploring abstract imagery, even when art world forces deemed figurative or nature-based pictures more marketable or more relevant. Ranging from an intimate untitled watercolor by Alma Thomas to the print Kyoto Positive/Negative by Howardena Pindell, the pieces in the exhibition bear witness to each of their maker’s singular imaginations.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website