Roger Brown

(Hamilton, Alabama, 1941 - 1997, Opelika, Alabama)

American

Roger Brown was born on December 10, 1941, and raised in Hamilton and Opelika, Alabama. By nature he was creative and his parents encouraged his artistic bent. Brown’s interest in art emerged in grade school; he took private art lessons from second to ninth grade (from Miss Mason, who deserves much credit for Brown’s early artistic education), and won first prize in a statewide poster competition in tenth grade. During childhood Brown grew especially close to his grandparents and his great-grandmother Mary Dizenia, known as “Mammy,” instilling an early interest in his family’s origins, which later flowered into extensive research into his family’s genealogy. He spent over two decades tracking his ancestors and relatives, and chronicled his findings in writings and paintings. Brown developed a deep interest in the material culture of the South, especially for folk art and handmade, functional objects. In adolescent and teen years he was influenced by the aesthetic of the comics, theater architecture and interiors, and streamlined Art Deco and machine-age design. His religious upbringing in the independent, fundamentalist Church of Christ denomination was formative and lasting. In later years Brown became an astute and intuitive collector. Memories of his early experiences can be seen as his first, and perhaps most important collection. He retained them, distilled them into their essential aspects, and they became the visual and psychological engine for much of his work throughout his career.

 

Click here for more information.

https://www.saic.edu/academics/libraries-special-collections/roger-brown

View objects by this artist.