Otto Neals is a self-taught artist whose natural talents were matched by years of hard work. He has used a range of materials throughout his career, including watercolor, oil, pastels, mixed media collage, as well as clay, bronze, wood, and stone sculptures.
New Acquisitions
We’ve been steadily collecting new artwork over the past year and a half from a range of emerging and established artists, including June Edmonds, Kohshin Finley, Otto Neals, Charles Searles, YoYo Lander, Michael Kelly Williams, Greg Breda, Carl “Dingbat Smith”, Henry Bannarn, and more. Browse some of these acquisitions here.
Feeding the Veins of the Earth (Grounded Angel)
This past year, we purchased Dr. Imo Nse Imeh’s piece, “Feeding the Veins of the Earth (Grounded Angel),” which is part of his “Benediction” series. This group of paintings envisions angels sent to Earth to be bonded to the skins of Black men and boys to bear witness to their traumas, triumphs, and lived experiences. Imeh graciously volunteered to share his reflections on this work and the conditions that brought it to bear.
Collection Spotlight: Chawne Kimber
Dr. Chawne Kimber is a mathematician, wordsmith, and quilter who we’ve been fortunate to get to know during her tenure as head of the mathematics department at Lafayette College.
Her pieces make us reconsider the art world’s dated distinctions between “craft” and “high art” in relation to quilts and textiles.
The Meticulous Improvisational Art of Carl Richard “Dingbat” Smith
In spite of a global pandemic, we have been fortunate to be able to continue to grow our collection this past year. We feel particularly lucky two have acquired two pieces from the magnificent artist, Carl Richard “Dingbat” Smith, whose work was introduced to us by our friend, consultant, and fellow collector, Lewis Tanner Moore. […]
The Fluid Imagination of Alvin Booth
Although he has been a vehicle and an avatar for creative expression for most of his life, Alvin only recently began considering himself an “Artist.” Each one of his dynamic compositions speak through themes of personal introspection, and weave in the lyrical or geometric notations of music as well as patterned and figurative shapes.
Proud to present the newest member of the PFF family…Syd Carpenter
A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit Syd Carpenter and her husband Steve Donegan in their impossibly cool Germantown studio. Syd is an artist and ceramicist based in Philadelphia. She studied at Tyler School of Art and teaches ceramics at Swarthmore while maintaining a consistent studio practice. Syd gave us the full […]
New Acquisitions May-June 2017
These past two months have seen a whirlwind of new acquisitions and we’re excited to share with you some new voices and perspectives as the collection continues to expand and mature. Here’s a sneak peak. Check back on our website soon for more detailed artwork information. Leon Hicks […]
Recent Acquisitions
With Constructing Identity winding down, PFF has had some time to work on growing the collection. We have a slew of exciting new acquisitions including new pieces by artists currently in the collection such as Robert Blackburn, Hale Woodruff, and Benny Andrews, as well as works by new names like Joseph Delaney, Haywood “Bill” Rivers, […]
PFF Sponsors Barbara Bullock Publication
PFF is the principal sponsor of Barbara Bullock’s book Chasing After Spirits. Published in partnership with LaSalle University in Philadelphia under the dedicated commitment of its editor Klare Scarborough, this book is a major tome that traces the genealogical, inspirational and international influences that have led to an unbelievable body of work by the prolific […]
Recent Acquisitions: Landscape Majestic and Castle Geyser
Mikaene Thomas, Inspired by Portland The Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African-American Art is pleased to announce the special purchase of Landscape Majestic by African-American artist Mikaene Thomas. This purchase bolsters work by contemporary artists in PFF and will be prominently featured in the upcoming Constructing Identity exhibition at The Portland Art Museum. It is […]