...
Long before
mentoring Mr. Criner, and while he was a student at
Hampton,
John T. Biggers forged a significant
relationship with Viktor Lowenfeld.
It was here that he began
to look to his own community and African
heritage as sources of
inspiration. At Penn State he began to think about his art in terms
of background and creating art that had deeply personal
meaning. “He began to take seriously the responsibility of making art that
reflected that which he called ‘the spirit and style of the Negro
people'.” (MPH) |
In his position as
Department Head at Texas Southern University, “Doc”
Biggers also developed very influential
relationships with several of his
students. He became mentor and
close friends to three of his former
students Charles Criner, Earlie
Hudnall, Jr. and Harvey Johnson.
They became “sons” to him.
The feelings of esteem, loyalty and affection have
only intensified
between those individuals since their days at the TSU art
center . .
.
more |
