Les Beaux Arts Gallery has a unique opportunity to showcase a collection of images representing the great American legend James Brown. The photographs are by the prominent artist Emilio Grossi (1926-2014) whose paintings are being exhibited simultaneously at the Norwalk Museum. “James Brown on My Mind” opened Jan. 22, and will run through Thursday, March 2.
The series dates from the 1960s when Grossi was permitted to be on stage during James Brown’s concert at the Apollo theater in Harlem, New York City, and photograph the singer in action. Some of the images are silver gelatin prints and others are color. Grossi captures the passion and fervor of his subject and the range of intense emotional expression in the images is riveting. He also photographed many other celebrities including the actor Sidney Poitier and Robert Kennedy.
Grossi earned his BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Yale University. He taught at the Cleveland Institute of Arts where he founded the department of photography. He was also adjunct professor at the Cooper Union in New York City and his work was selected by Edward Steichen for the Museum Of Modern Art. The James Brown series has been exhibited in many European capitals and throughout the United States. Grossi has attributed his dual disciplines, painting and photography, to the influence of Charles Sheeler.
Les Beaux Arts Gallery is located at the Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Rd. The Gallery is open Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Saturday and Monday, Feb. 20. Admission is free. For information call 203-869-1091 or visit roundhillcommunitychurch.org
