Eric's Perspective : A podcast series on African American art
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago -Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery sits down with artists, collectors, celebrities and thought leaders for in-depth conversations where they explore the past, present & future of African American art.
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Episodes
Eric's Perspective Feat. Bernard Stanley Hoyes
September 07, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes. They discuss his experience of growing up in Jamaica and discovering his passion for art. Working in carpentry, to transitioning into sculpture and painting. His unique upbringing and exposure to the Revival culture and spirituality… moving to the United States, his education in the arts and being taught by renowned artists. How he transitioned into becoming a professional artist; exhibiting and se...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Pamela Brown
August 24, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with AAA certified art appraiser, friend and colleague… Pamela Brown. They discuss her educational background and her love of history, research and learning… especially related to African American culture. How she first became interested and exposed to the arts including new and emerging artists. Her educational background, working in the corporate world — to eventually devoting herself to art full-time. How her love of research and learning lead to becoming a...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Peter J. Harris
August 10, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with renowned author Peter J. Harris. They discuss his early beginnings; from having been born in Washington D.C, studying journalism at Howard University to eventually pursuing a career as a writer. They discuss his personal life and how he first developed an interest in poetry — meeting influential artists and master poets who inspired him. How poetry served as a vehicle to express himself in order to explore social and personal ideas… and cultivating his ow...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Keasha Dumas Heath
July 26, 2023 23:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with Executive Director of the nonprofit Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles; Keasha Dumas Heath. They discuss her passion for storytelling, affinity for poetry and the interconnectivity of the arts. The history and legacy of the museum, including the founder Dr. Samella Lewis… the role that MAAA has played in the community as a cultural institution and sharing African American art and culture with the public. The various permanent collections in the...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Alvin Hall
July 13, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with author, media personality and art collector; Alvin Hall. They discuss his early beginnings — growing up in Florida during the Jim Crow era, his educational journey and early exposures to art. The artists who inspired him and helped cultivate his knowledge and appreciation for the artistic process. How he began collecting black and white photography and prints, his passion for writing, his career as a financial writer and becoming a patron of the arts. The...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Kenneth Gatewood
June 29, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with acclaimed artist Kenneth Gatewood. They discuss the role that his parents played in encouraging him to pursue art and his early beginnings as an artist. Growing up in South Central LA and the artists that influenced him. Being an artist, managing himself and the importance of presentation. Gatewood’s artistic process, working with watercolor and his signature work; including his iconic "Baby Series" that use children as a subject matter. Creating artwork...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Jamaal Sheats
June 15, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with artist, curator and professor; Jamaal Sheats. They discuss his background — growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, his interest in the arts, his educational background, attending Fisk University and ultimately ending up at Fisk University as a faculty member! Sheats sheds light on how at first he ‘ran’ from the arts — wanting to be a business major, an entrepreneur but how he ultimately pursued his artistic passions and the role his parents played in encoura...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Christen Austin
June 01, 2023 21:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the talented Christen Austin; California native visual artist. They discuss her early exposures to art, artistic influences and how her Mother is also an artist. She sheds light on her educational background, studying Biology, how it lends to her artistic approach. How she transitioned into becoming a full-time artist and the challenges faced by up and coming artists. She describes her process, the media she uses and how she characterizes her style of wor...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Jacori Perry "Aiseborn"
May 18, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Aiseborn at the Museum of African American Art at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. They discuss how he first began making art that included drawing from comic books, magazines, tv shows and super hero characters to eventually developing into an exhibiting. The various media he uses and his special affinity for graffiti and artists that have influenced him. Graffiti as an art form, the role of letter writing throughout h...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Lauren Cross
May 05, 2023 02:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with Lauren Cross, Ph.D Gail-Oxford Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Huntington. They discuss how she was encouraged to express herself artistically as a young girl and that she comes from a creative family. Her educational journey; interdisciplinary studio art background including photography, different media and installations. How she first became drawn to quilting as an art form; to eventually learn that she comes from a family of quilt ...
Trailer
May 05, 2023 01:00 - 1 minute - 1010 KBAfrican American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery; Eric Hanks — offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts… on the past, present & future of African American art. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com African American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery, Eric Hanks is one of the leading representatives of Black artists, promoting and selling their works nationally to individ...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Charles Dickson
October 06, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with Los Angeles based Postwar & Contemporary sculptor Charles Dickson. They discuss his first exposure to art, how he was specifically drawn to carving at a very young age to, eventually become a child prodigy.. his educational path, involvement in various organizations and the great artists who inspired and mentored him including the legendary Charles White, William Pajaud, John Ottobridge and Noah Purifoy; how they inspired him, informed his work and helped...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Suesan Stovall
September 22, 2022 20:00 - 59 minutes - 41.5 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with artist, actor & singer; Suesan Stovall. They discuss how she first became exposed to the arts and artists and the role her family played in surrounding her with art and immersing her into the art world. They discuss her artistic journey -- beginning with acting and the performing arts; her training and education and how she transitioned into making art, which began as a way to sustain her performing career.. from collage as a hobby, to selling her work, to e...
Eric's Perspective Feat. La Monte Westmoreland
September 08, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with artist and educator La Monte Westmoreland. They discuss his experience of growing up in Wisconsin, his early exposure to art and what lead him to move to Los Angeles.. his educational background, to serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam war and what eventually lead him into an impressive career as an art educator in the secondary, college and university levels; that spanned over many decades. They discuss Westmoreland’s artistic influences and journ...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Sandra Jackson-Dumont
August 26, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with Sandra Jackson-Dumont — director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. They discuss her experience of growing up in San Francisco, her initial exposure and relationship to art.. her academic journey and what eventually lead her into a career path in the art and museum world. Her distinctly creative approach to making art and museums more accessible to the public, by weaving it into the social fabric of society and making it more of an inclusive exper...
Eric's Perspective Feat. STIX
August 11, 2022 20:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MBIn this episode, in this episode, Eric sits down with rapper, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, activist and founder of Think Watts... STIX aka "Watts Stix"! They discuss his family history and how they first settled in Watts, California and the impactful cultural figures that have emerged from the region throughout history. How he first began making music and how he eventually reevaluated his purpose in life.. how he first began giving back to his community in Watts, California; to eventu...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Todd Cochran
July 28, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with accomplished musician, composer, essayist and abstract artist Todd Cochran. They discuss how he was born in San Francisco and raised in a household of deep love for the arts; filled with music and conversations about art and culture. Growing up in the Lakeview district; a largely Black but racially mixed neighborhood and community.. and the influential role that his maternal grandmother, an ordained minister, evangelist and protofeminist played throughout...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Artis Lane
July 14, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 37.9 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the legendary artist Artis Lane… where they discuss her life as a young girl having emigrated from Canada to Michigan and formative experiences she had that later informed her artwork. They discuss her travels as a young adult to South Africa and exposure to apartheid.. Her prolific and celebrated artistic career that includes her exceptional portrait work, her focus on social issues and sculpture including her bust of Abolitionist and Suffragette Sojourn...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Yrneh Gabon
June 30, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with multidisciplinary artist and activist Yrneh Gabon who opens up about growing up in Jamaica, how his passion for art and expression grew, studying art, music and theatre as a young boy.. to eventually competing in national competitions, leaving school and entering the professional world of filmmaking, art and performance which lead him to an exciting and multifaceted global career in the arts. What lead him back to higher education and the mentors that hav...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Alonzo Davis
June 16, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with artist, gallerist, teacher & advocate Alonzo Davis; where they discuss Davis’ childhood; growing up in a community of educators near Tuskeege University campus in Alabama, to moving to Los Angeles as a teen… his education in the arts and a life changing road trip that he took with is brother, Dale where they visited with various artists of color around the United States.. which eventually inspired them to open the iconic Brockman Gallery in Leimert park with...
Eric's Perspective Feat. Lynne Thompson
June 03, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBIn this episode Eric sits down with the wonderful author Lynne Thompson where they discuss her childhood, family roots and fascination with African American history. How she transitioned from being a lawyer, to eventually following her dream to write and become a poet. They discuss how Thompson was recently appointed Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles and the many activities she has done in that role; to promote literacy for Angelinos! They discuss her writing process; her use of soun...
Eric's Perspective feat. Richard Wyatt Jr.
November 11, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Richard Wyatt Jr. about how he first discovered art at a young age and becoming a prodigy. He describes his educational journey and experience whilst studying at the Watts Towers Art Center and being mentored by great artists... his connection with music and how it relates to art, his passion for exploring various mediums and collaboration, his work in the space of public art and his unique process when creating his beautiful murals among t...
Eric's Perspective feat. Richard Wyatt Jr.
November 11, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Richard Wyatt Jr. about how he first discovered art at a young age and becoming a prodigy. He describes his educational journey and experience whilst studying at the Watts Towers Art Center and being mentored by great artists... his connection with music and how it relates to art, his passion for exploring various mediums and collaboration, his work in the space of public art and his unique process when creating his beautiful murals among t...
Eric's Perspective feat. Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson
October 27, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with historian, scholar and advocate Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson who talks about her family tree, history and the journey of her ancestors who migrated to and settled in Los Angeles, the African American experience in Southern California during the twentieth century during the Jim Crow era and how this changed California. Eric and Dr. Jefferson discus her recent book entitled Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era and ho...
Eric's Perspective feat. Dr. Bridget R. Cooks
October 14, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with the delightful scholar, writer and curator Dr. Bridget R. Cooks; who shares about how she became fascinated with art and exposed to museums at a young age and how it inspired her to become involved in the art world. They discuss how she explored many paths from becoming an artist.. to having found her direction; a dedication and passion for her mission of spotlighting and educating the world on African American culture through art, exhibiting 'blackness' and...
Eric's Perspective feat. Dr. Bridget R. Cooks
October 14, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with the delightful scholar, writer and curator Dr. Bridget R. Cooks; who shares about how she became fascinated with art and exposed to museums at a young age and how it inspired her to become involved in the art world. They discuss how she explored many paths from becoming an artist.. to having found her direction; a dedication and passion for her mission of spotlighting and educating the world on African American culture through art, exhibiting 'blackness' and...
Eric's Perspective feat. Robert C. Davidson, Jr.
September 30, 2021 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with Robert C. Davidson, Jr; successful entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist. He and Eric discuss his experience as a young boy; growing up in the Jim Crow era of the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee and how his parents were both entrepreneurs and great inspirations to him: His mother opened a restaurant for black patrons in 1944 after seeing that African American soldiers had nowhere to eat in public. His father opened the first and only black-owned bank, T...
Eric's Perspective feat. Robert C. Davidson, Jr.
September 30, 2021 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with Robert C. Davidson, Jr; successful entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist. He and Eric discuss his experience as a young boy; growing up in the Jim Crow era of the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee and how his parents were both entrepreneurs and great inspirations to him: His mother opened a restaurant for black patrons in 1944 after seeing that African American soldiers had nowhere to eat in public. His father opened the first and only black-owned bank, T...
Eric's Perspective feat. Kristin Sakoda
September 16, 2021 10:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with Kristin Sakoda; director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, where they discuss her journey in the arts; beginning as a child performer in Chicago, to professional dancer in New York with the Urban Bush Women dance company to performing in musicals on Broadway including the famed show Rent.. to original cast member of Mamma Mia! and later completing her studies in Law where she specialized in entertainment law. They discuss how she even...
Eric's Perspective feat. Mark Steven Greenfield
September 01, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with artist Mark Steven Greenfield; about his journey and education in the arts and the great artists who mentored him. They discuss his experience of growing up and living in the Philippines and Germany and how that shaped his outlook on life and ideas of racism and oppression. They discuss his body of work that deals with themes such as African American stereotypes, spiritual practices, social justice, meditative practices and abstraction. The life of an arti...
Eric's Perspective feat. Charmaine Jefferson
August 19, 2021 11:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with art and culture nonprofit consultant Charmaine Jefferson who talks about how her passion for the arts came about; from training in ballet and tap dance as a child and always having been surrounded by art — her uncle renowned artist John Riddle, her brother who is an artist and her aunt who had an artistic inclination. She talks about her days as a professional dancer, her experience as an African American and the challenges she faced during the “Black is Bea...
Eric's Perspective feat. Gustave Blache III
August 02, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Gustave Blache III who talks about his journey as an artist; his education, working with gallerists and establishing his unique style of painting -- combining traditional painting methods of portraiture with journalism in a brand of art which he affectionately terms, Visual Journalism: series of paintings that documents the lives of and highlights the process and unique labors of everyday society from mop makers to prison entertainment......
Eric's Perspective feat. CCH Pounder
July 22, 2021 13:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with renowned actress, collector, activist and art patron CCH Pounder; who talks about her passion of the arts and opens up about the dilemma she once faced about as a young girl -- on whether to pursue acting or become a visual artist. Although she decided to pursue acting, she speaks about her long time commitment to art and artists.. collecting artwork of artists from Africa and the African diaspora and the wonderful journey of establishing the first contempor...
Eric's Perspective feat. Dr. Halima Taha
July 08, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBIn this episode, Eric speaks with esteemed scholar and writer Dr. Halima Taha. She shares her experience of how she first came into contact with the arts, her experience as co-owner of the Onyx Art Gallery, the first gallery in Gramercy Park to sell abstract art by African American artists New York City, combating the historic limitations and stereotypes that have been projected on artists of African descent… to her journey of getting her book published, paving the way for creating a market ...
Eric's Perspective feat. June Edmonds
November 26, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated June Edmonds who describes her journey of becoming an artist... from deciding to pursue art, majoring in art at college, to furthering her studies under the mentorship of esteemed artists, to eventually developing her own unique style and exhibiting her work at renowned galleries and art fairs around the world. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: June Edmonds uses abstract painting to explore how color, repe...
Eric's Perspective feat. Evelia Jones
November 12, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with the lovely Evelia Jones, direct descendant of Sally Hemings; intimate companion of Thomas Jefferson for nearly four decades with whom he had six children. They discuss her experience as a child growing up in the South, her exposure to art and performance as a young girl, her Father -- the late, talented but somewhat unsung hero; artist Lawrence A. Jones, the road he paved in the world of African American art and role he played in the community... They dis...
Eric's Perspective feat. Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks
October 29, 2020 01:00 - 59 minutes - 41.2 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with his lovely wife Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks at their residence where they discuss her great love of African American art... how being of African descent lead her to study African American art to help her connect with her history and heritage and how art enriches her life and work environment. They discuss the power of art as a weapon to tell a story beyond the history text books and make the world a better place. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest...
Eric's Perspective feat. Berlinda Fontenont-Jamerson
October 15, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBIn this episode, Berlinda Fontenont-Jamerson (now former) President of the Museum of African American Art describes how she transitioned from a successful career in corporate America, to becoming a leading figure in sharing African American stories and uplifting communities through the power of art and economic development. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Born in raised in Los Angeles, Berlinda Fontenont-Jamerson is the President of the Museum of African American Art a...
Eric's Perspective feat. George Evans
September 30, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBIn this episode, LA native George Evans describes his lifelong relationship with art; having being raised in an artistic home, to receiving mentorship from renowned African American artists and how his art has continued to evolve throughout the years. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: George was born in Watts and grew up on 89th Street in an artistic family that nurtured a love of art, books, music and nature. His brother is a jazz musician and one of his sisters, Wanda C...
Eric's Perspective feat. Terry McMillan
September 17, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBIn this episode bestselling author Terry McMillan opens up about her early days as an up-and coming author to ultimately achieving great success.. what art means to her and how her relationship with art has evolved over the years. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Terry McMillan is an American novelist. Born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan., she discovered her love of literature while shelving books at the local library. She burst on to the literary scene in 1987 with...
Eric's Perspective feat. Paul Von Blum
September 03, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBEric sits down with professor and longtime civil rights activist Paul Von Blum, who describes his experiences during the civil rights movement and his involvement in helping to pave the way for the recognition of African American art and the establishment of African American studies. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Paul Von Blum is Senior Lecturer in African American Studies and Communication Studies at UCLA. He has taught at the University of California since 1968, se...
Eric's Perspective feat. Dr. Joy Simmons
August 20, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with art collector and patron of African American art; Dr. Joy Simmons who describes her journey of discovering art at a young age while in Medical school. They explore her passion for collecting and supporting African-American artists. Guest Bio: A radiologist at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center for 37 years, Joy masterfully juggles her passion for patients with her love of art. She has been an avid collector of contemporary African-American art ...
Eric's Perspective feat. Phoebe Beasley
August 06, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with renowned artist and longtime friend Phoebe Beasley, for an intimate conversation about her art and what drives her to create. They discuss her journey… from an aspiring young artist to gaining recognition as a celebrated American artist. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Phoebe Beasley (born June 3, 1943) in Cleveland, Ohio. Beasley is the only artist whose art has been awarded the Presidential Seal under two different U.S. Preside...
Eric's Perspective feat. Michael Massenburg
July 13, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBIn this episode, Eric sits down with artist and longtime friend Michael Massenburg, for an intimate conversation about what inspired him to become an artist. They discuss his experiences growing up in Los Angeles during the 1965 Watts Rebellion and significant moments that ended up informing his art. They reflect on the untimely death of Sam Cook who's song "A Change Is Gonna Come" became a symbol of the civil rights movement... the Killing of Latasha Harlins, the Rodney King verdict and LA ...