George Dureau: Up Close

George Dureau passed away in 2014 leaving the legacy of a remarkable 40-year career. This exhibition features works from the late artist’s personal collection, many of which are being made available by the estate for the first time ever. Included among the photographs of all sizes are some of the most iconic images that the photographer captured.

One wall of the exhibition space features a grid of 42 10 x 8-inch photographs while the opposite wall holds 20 20x16 inch portraits. Five 30 x 30-inch images adorn a wall which includes two images of BJ Robinson, one of George’s most photographed models. To the right are three 20 x 24-inch photographs that depict BJ again, Troy Brown, and Clarence Williams; all very iconic models for the artist. In addition to the photographs, Up Close includes one painting and one drawing to illustrate the breadth of the artist’s talent.

George Valentine Dureau was born in New Orleans in 1930. He received a B.A. in Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in 1952 and briefly attended Tulane University where he studied architecture. In 1990, as part of the Louisiana Percent for Art Program, he was commissioned to paint The Parade Paused for Gallier Hall in New Orleans. In 1993, he and artist Ersy Schwartz were commissioned to design and oversee the fabrication and installation of the bronze and steel Gates at North Court at the New Orleans Museum of Art. In 1999, he designed the pediment sculptures for the Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, as well as created the year’s official New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster depicting Professor Longhair. In October 2011, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans presented Dureau its highest honor, the Opus Award, in recognition of his contributions to the art and culture of New Orleans and the larger South. His art is included in numerous museum collections, including Le Musée de la Photographie in Paris, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia. He has two monographs, New Orleans: 50 Photographs, published in 1985 and George Dureau: The Photographs, published in 2016. The latter is available for sale at the gallery.

For more information please contact the Arthur Roger Gallery at 504.522.1999 or visit our website at arthurrogergallery.com.