The name Noah Davis is possibly better known among collectors and art curators than among today's artists who would be his contemporary. Seattle-born Davis died in 2015 at the young age of 32 and in his short life created a purely distinctive body of both abstract and figurative, realistic and dreamlike paintings. According to the Davis bio posted on art representative David Zwirner's website, Noah's work is "about Blackness and the history of Western painting."
Collectors of Davis' work have been keyed into the distinctive nature of his paintings which have been displayed in solo shows and included a 2016 large-scale duo exhibit, along with his older brother, artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph called Young Blood: Noah Davis, Kahlil Joseph, The Underground Museum at the Frye Museum in Seattle. Earlier this month, the Noah Davis painting, Untitled Boy with Glasses sold at a Phillips Auction of Modern and Contemporary work in an evening sale for $279,000. The piece had been previously owned by actor Jesse Williams and his former wife Aryn Drakelee-Williams.
On May 17th, Broadway's Roundabout Theatre Company Todd Haines Theatre welcomed the revival of HOME to its stage. It was a triumphant and sorrowful welcome as HOME playwright Samm-Art Williams died on May 13th, just four days before the opening of preview performances.
Williams was a giant in the theater and television industry with a mission to expand the Black presence in Hollywood and on stage. Having garnered a Tony nomination for the original production of HOME in 1979, which was originally mounted by The Negro Ensemble Company where Williams began his acting career in 1973, the production then moved to Broadway for a run. Williams was a stage and screen actor, writer, and executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, and Frank's Place. As a writer on the 1985 production of Motown Returns to the Apollo and producer of Frank's Place, Williams earned two Emmy nominations.
HOME is a muscular and melodic coming-of-age story that gives voice to the unbreakable spirit of all Americans who have been searching for a place to belong. Samm-Art has returned home now and left behind enduring glimmers to light the way for finding a place to celebrate his robust and accomplished life. Opening night is set for June 5th, with a scheduled run through July 21st.
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