Phil Sumpter: Once and Future Frontiers

2022 Autumn Exhibition

Once and Future Frontiers

October 9 – November 18, 2022

OFF THE WALL NE Corner, 13th and Pine•offthewallgallery.org

What’s on our frontier October 9 — November 18

Phil Sumpter: Once and Future Frontiers Opens Sunday, October 16, 2–7 p.m.

Thursday, October 20

Deadline for entries to UNDER $100

November 20 — December 28

UNDER $100 17th Annual Year-ending Juried Show Opens Thursday, December 1, 7–10 p.m.

December 29, 2022 — January 13, 2023

New Year’s/Mummers Hiatus

January 14 — March 3

2023 Winter Show Opens Thursday, January 19, 7–10 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14

Theme announced for Summer Juried Show

March 5 — April 21

Mary Liz Memorial Masters Exhibition 18 Opens Thursday, March 9, 7–10 p.m.

Casting history in bronze Phil has accepted more than two dozen commissions, many with a national profile.

2010: Juan Ponce de León Commemorative Medallion Museo de las Américas San Juan, Puerto Rico 2003: Negro League Memorial West Parkside Business Association Philadelphia, PA 1993: William Julius “Judy” Johnson Statue 2002: Julian Francis Abele Daniel S. Frawley Baseball Stadium Commemorative Medallion Wilmington, DE (pictured above) Philadelphia Free Library 1993: Patriots of African Descent Memorial Philadelphia, PA Delta Sigma Theta Valley Forge 1997: Roberto Clemente Statue Roberto Clemente Middle School Philadelphia, PA

Alumnae Chapter Valley Forge National Park Valley Forge, PA

Many narratives converge when telling the story of sculptorartist Phil Sumpter.

From a child’s cherished memory of drawing cowboys with a soon-to-be absent father, to a young boy’s fanaticism for comic books and “shoot-‘em-up” cinema.

From a youth fortunate enough to attend art school on scholarship, to a young man’s patriotic duty to a country at war.

From a search for romanticism within humanity while traveling the world, to a charismatic instructor’s 25-year diligence influencing aspiring artists.

From a businessman’s chance to prove himself as Philadelphia’s first Black-owned and -operated commercial design agency, to fathering a family of his own.

From a seasoned sculptor’s prolific ability to produce commemorative coins for the U.S. Mint, to emerging as a renowned artist, both locally and nationally, through multiple public art commissions, Phil has dedicated his life to celebrating the contributions made to Western Civilization by people of color.

All of this coalesces to tell Phil’s story, a testament to a genuine love of the arts, the world, its cultures and that special something within us all, which he likes to call “espíritu humano” (The Human Spirit).

Currently, Phil lives and works everyday in his studio in San Juan, Puerto Rico with his wife where he has his studio. A visual artist, painter and sculptor, Phil applies his avid interest in history and human form to his renderings of the African American cowboy collection, his pirates and corsairs and the Puerto Rican “jibaro.”

Born March 12, 1930, in Erie, PA, Phil is a graduate of the University of the Arts and, while serving in the Korean War and stationed in England, attended the Cambridge College of Art to study art history. During his long career, the artist has worn many hats: educator, cinema and art director (including holding the post at the historic Pyramid Club), interior designer, sculptor and designer of coins and medals. Since 1992, when he retired from teaching at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative & Performing Arts, he has been a full-time artist and sculptor.

“

Bomba is very explosive and has a lot to it. It’s a combination of what I call a bit of mojo and a bit of the old witch doctor stuff.... I take my sketch book with me and draw the drummers and anything I see of interest to mind, pencil and soul.”

“Black Cowboy” clay with bronze patina 18 x 7 x 7 NFS “Bomba 1” (top right) signed original marker on paper 17 x 14 400.

“Bomba 2” (top left) unsigned giclée of Conté on tracing paper original 19 x 23 350.

“Bomba 3” unsigned giclée of marker on paper original 19 x 15 300. (bottom left) “Bomba Dancer” signed original marker on paper 17 x 14 400.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

Curator’s statement I have been curating Off the Wall Gallery for the past 18 years—and this is the first time I have been asked to write a curatorial statement. It is an absolute honor to oblige the Sumpter family’s request.

The process of curating for me begins initially with a gut response to the work that talks to my soul, which is then followed by a logistical contemplation. How do these pieces contextually reflect on one another?

The process of “hanging the work” is a magical tacit behavior that answers that very question.

I was first introduced to Phil Sumpter 30 years ago. I met The SelfProclaimed Black Cowboy, The Artist, The Storyteller. The bigger-than-life persona was—and is—surpassed only by a breadth of work that the term “prolific” doesn’t even begin to define.

I had the further honor of visiting Phil and Carmita in their lovely home in Puerto Rico this past summer. I was submerged in the legacy of his life’s work, which proved a magnificent inspiration. Attempting to select works that would represent the various media, styles and subject matter was incredibly challenging. Six hours later— and with 30+ pieces in a tube—I flew back facing the next challenge…framing.

My mission was to present Phil’s work both individually and as a collection.

My desire to search for and utilize repurposed frames, while still complementing his work, was just as challenging as deciding which pieces out of a lifetime’s work should be included on our Wall.

If I could have one wish, it would be that somehow we just had more space on this Wall, here at the bar that originally brought us all together and started this journey so many years ago.

Jody Sweitzer Curator

“Carhuaz, Peru 1” signed original, doublesided watercolor and marker 16 x 13 400.

“Carhuaz, Peru 2” signed original, doublesided watercolor and marker 16 x 13 400.

“Centaur” bronze relief 1.75 round 300. (above left) “Cleo the Wrangler” clay with bronze patina 17 x 9 x 9 1200.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

(left) “Cottages in Puerto Rico” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink original 23 x 27 350.

“Countryside House 1” unsigned giclée of acrylic on canvas orginal 17 x 13 250.

“

“Countryside House 2” unsigned giclée of acrylic on canvas orginal 13 x 17 250.

I have a nose for authenticity.

I must have read a good 150 books or so about the West in general. I’m still reading.... I’ll tell you something: if I wasn’t an art teacher, I would have been a history teacher.” (across at bottom) “Cowboy 1 (Texas Henry Clay)” signed original watercolor and ink 24 x 18 750.

“Cowboy 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Cowboy 3” (across, top right) signed original ink on paper 13 x 11 300.

“Cowboy 4” signed original marker on paper 9x7 200.

“Cowboy 5” signed original marker on paper 9x7 200.

“Cowboy Hat” unsigned giclée of marker and ink orginal 17 x 16 300.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

“Fighting Roosters” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 350.

“Gallos” signed original marker on paper 13 x 19 400.

“Jibaro (Hillbilly) 1” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Jibaro (Hillbilly) 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 350.

“Looking” signed original ink on paper 12 x 10 300.

“Old Shack” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 450.

“Owls” signed giclée of marker and ink orginal 19 x 28 450. (below) “Patriots of African Descent” bronze relief 2.75 round 300. (right) “Paul Robeson” clay with bronze patina 32 x 10 x 6 NFS

“The Net” (bottom) unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 350.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

“Peruvian Girl” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Peruvian Girls” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 20 x 18 400. (left) “Peruvian Musician” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 400.

“Peruvian Musicians” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 350.

(right) “Rooster 1” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 24 x 18 450.

“Rooster 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 300.

“Rooster 3” signed original watercolor and ink 8x6 250.

“Rooster 4” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 300.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

(below left) “Scallywags of Madagascar” signed original marker and ink on paper 20 x 16 450.

“Stampede” signed digital copy of Conté on paper original 11 x 13 150. (below right) “Trackers” signed original ink on paper 10 x 12 300. (right) “Waso (Chilean Cowboy)” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 24 x 18 450.

“

I love the island, the warmth of her people, their food and their music.”

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price, unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

CALL FOR ENTRIES CALL FOR ENTRIES Seeking art in all media (2D, 3D, multimedia) NOW to October 7. NO ENTRY FEE! Submit up to 5 works of art by email. 48” limit in combined dimensions (height+width) Our all-time top-selling juried theme returns! for 2D. $10 per piece hanging fee. $600 Again, it’s EASY and FREE (no up-front fee)in tocash enterprizes. your art.

UNDER

$100 20 r e b o t c O , y a hursd T : E N I L D A E ENTRY D 17th Annual Year-ending Juried Show 16th Annual Juried Exhibition November 14––December December28,26, 2021 November 20 2022

Off the Wall Gallery AT DIRTY FRANK’S

SUBMIT... Up to 5 works in all possible media, with titles, prices,

framed sizes, media and a two-sentence statement

LIMITS... 2D work needs to be no more than 48” in combined

dimensions (height+width); 3D must easily fit in our case.

NE Corner, 13th & Pine, Philadelphia WHERE? Email everything to offthewallgallery@gmail.com. offthewallgallery.org @otwdirtyfranks WHEN?

Now to Thursday, October 20 at 11:59 PM Accepted artists will be announced by October 25.

$$...

It’s free to enter BUT there is a $10 hanging fee for each accepted work, funding $600+ in cash prizes.

Off the Wall Gallery AT DIRTY FRANK’S NE Corner, 13th & Pine, Philadelphia

offthewallgallery.org

@OTWDirtyFranks