Artwork by former Purdue star Carroll to be exhibited at BCC
January 2, 2014
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Joe Barry Carroll, a Purdue All-American basketball player, with one of the paintings that will be on exhibit beginning Jan. 6 at the Black Cultural Center. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) Download Photo |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Black Cultural Center and the John Purdue Club will co-host an art exhibition by former Purdue All-American basketball player and NBA all-star Joe Barry Carroll beginning Monday (Jan. 6).
The exhibit features 34 of Carroll's 70 acrylic and mixed-material paintings on board, which are part of his "Growing Up ... In Words and Images" series.
Carroll will appear from 4-6 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the BCC for a gallery talk and reception.
"The paintings are biographical," he said. "I try to make it all relatable, because I think all of our stories are similar, and to make it inclusive to the extent that we all have these shared experiences. The meaning of family is part of the exhibition. Families are who we are and they're important."
The art is for exhibit only and is not for sale. In the future, however, Carroll intends to auction the paintings to benefit selected charities.
Carroll played at Purdue from 1976-80 and is the only Purdue men's basketball player to score a triple double with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks. He also will be honored at the Purdue men's basketball game on Feb. 15 against Indiana University.
He led the Boilermakers to the NIT finals his junior year and the NCAA tournament Final Four in his senior year, when he was named a first-team All-American. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft, he played in the NBA for 11 years, appeared in several NBA playoff games and in the 1987 all-star game. His NBA totals are 12,455 points, 5,404 rebounds, 1,264 assists and 1,122 blocked shots. He averaged a career-high 24 points a game in the 1983-84 season.
Carroll, who now works as a wealth adviser in the Atlanta area, said he has loved art since childhood.
"I've been interested in art since elementary school art classes," he said. "I've never had a formal art class but I've always loved it."
He is happy the exhibit will be at the BCC.
"The BCC is fundamental to the growth of all students. All students should be here on a regular basis. I was, and benefited from it greatly. I learned a lot from the lecturers and from the artists who were here," he said.
"We are thrilled Joe Barry Carroll has selected his alma mater and the BCC as the first location to exhibit his incredible artwork outside his studio," said Renee Thomas, BCC director. "The beautiful paintings have transformed the interior of the BCC facility. I encourage everyone to visit the BCC and enjoy this gift to the community.
"In addition to his paintings, we are collaborating the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to host 'Afros: Celebration of Natural Hair,' by photographer Michael July, which also is opening on Jan. 6. It celebrates the beauty of natural hair in the African-American community as well as its historical significance."
The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be through Feb. 14. It can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6-10 p.m. Sunday.
Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu
Sources: Renee Thomas, 765-494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu
Tara Coyt, tara@coytcommunications.com
