A Rare John Biggers Study Comes To Life

A Rare John Biggers Study Comes to Light
Before the Mural — The Contribution of the Negro Woman to American Life

Valerie A. Cooper, H-DAP National Director and founder of Picture That, LLC,
Saturday Talk, February 7, at 11:00 AM

At the BAIA Fine Art Print Fair in Houston, Black Art in America presents a rare and historic moment: the first public exhibition of an early study by John Biggers, created in the early 1950s and foundational to his iconic mural The Contribution of the Negro Woman to American Life. Shown alongside a print of the completed mural, this presentation offers a powerful window into Biggers’ creative process and vision.

Created during a formative period in Houston’s cultural history, the commission reflects Biggers’ belief in art as a vehicle for self-definition, cultural memory, and spiritual affirmation—values he advanced as founding chair of the art department at Texas Southern University.
The program features a talk by Valerie A. Cooper, H-DAP National Director and founder of Picture That, LLC, who will explore the symbolism, significance, and lasting legacy of Biggers’ work, while highlighting the importance of works on paper in preserving African American cultural history.

Visitors are invited to look closely, connect deeply, and experience a Houston legacy rarely seen.

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