Phil Sumpter: Once and Future Frontiers

Once and Future Frontiers

What’s on our frontier

October 9

Phil Sumpter: Once and Future Frontiers November 18 Opens Sunday, October 16, 2–7 p.m.

Thursday, October 20 Deadline for entries to UNDER $100

November 20 UNDER $100

December 28 17th Annual Year-ending Juried Show Opens Thursday, December 1, 7–10 p.m.

December 29, 2022 New Year’s/Mummers Hiatus January 13, 2023

January 14 March 3 2023 Winter Show Opens Thursday, January 19, 7–10 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14 Theme announced for Summer Juried Show

March 5 April 21 Mary Liz Memorial Masters Exhibition 18 Opens Thursday, March 9, 7–10 p.m.

Casting history in bronze

Phil has accepted more than two dozen commissions, many with a national profile.

2010: Juan Ponce de León Commemorative Medallion Museo de las Américas San Juan, Puerto Rico

2003: Negro League Memorial West Parkside Business Association Philadelphia, PA

2002: Julian Francis Abele Commemorative Medallion Philadelphia Free Library Philadelphia, PA

1997: Roberto Clemente Statue Roberto Clemente Middle School Philadelphia, PA

1993: William Julius “Judy” Johnson Statue Daniel S. Frawley Baseball Stadium Wilmington, DE (pictured above)

1993: Patriots of African Descent Memorial Delta Sigma Theta Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter Valley Forge National Park Valley Forge, PA

From a child’s cherished memory of drawing cowboys with a soon-to-be absent father, to a young boy’s fanaticism for comic books and “shoot-‘em-up” cinema.

From a youth fortunate enough to attend art school on scholarship, to a young man’s patriotic duty to a country at war.

From a search for romanticism within humanity while traveling the world, to a charismatic instructor’s 25-year diligence influencing aspiring artists. From a businessman’s chance to prove himself as Philadelphia’s first Black-owned and -operated commercial design agency, to fathering a family of his own.

From a seasoned sculptor’s prolific ability to produce commemorative coins for the U.S. Mint, to emerging as a renowned artist, both locally and nationally, through multiple public art commissions, Phil has dedicated his life to celebrating the contributions made to Western Civilization by people of color.

All of this coalesces to tell Phil’s story, a testament to a genuine love of the arts, the world, its cultures and that special something within us all, which he likes to call “espíritu humano” (The Human Spirit).

Currently, Phil lives and works everyday in his studio in San Juan, Puerto Rico with his wife where he has his studio. A visual artist, painter and sculptor, Phil applies his avid interest in history and human form to his renderings of the African American cowboy collection, his pirates and corsairs and the Puerto Rican “jibaro.”

Born March 12, 1930, in Erie, PA, Phil is a graduate of the University of the Arts and, while serving in the Korean War and stationed in England, attended the Cambridge College of Art to study art history. During his long career, the artist has worn many hats: educator, cinema and art director (including holding the post at the historic Pyramid Club), interior designer, sculptor and designer of coins and medals. Since 1992, when he retired from teaching at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative & Performing Arts, he has been a full-time artist and sculptor.

Many narratives converge when telling the story of sculptorartist Phil Sumpter.

“Bomba is very explosive and has a lot to it. It’s a combination of what I call a bit of mojo and a bit of the old witch doctor stuff.... I take my sketch book with me and draw the drummers and anything I see of interest to mind, pencil and soul.”

“Black Cowboy” clay with bronze patina 18 x 7 x 7

NFS

“Bomba 1” (top right) signed original marker on paper 17 x 14 400.

“Bomba 2” (top left) unsigned giclée of Conté on tracing paper original 19 x 23 350.

“Bomba 3” unsigned giclée of marker on paper original 19 x 15 300. (bottom left)

“Bomba Dancer” signed original marker on paper 17 x 14 400.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

Curator’s statement

I have been curating Off the Wall Gallery for the past 18 years—and this is the first time I have been asked to write a curatorial statement. It is an absolute honor to oblige the Sumpter family’s request.

The process of curating for me begins initially with a gut response to the work that talks to my soul, which is then followed by a logistical contemplation. How do these pieces contextually reflect on one another? The process of “hanging the work” is a magical tacit behavior that answers that very question.

I was first introduced to Phil Sumpter 30 years ago. I met The SelfProclaimed Black Cowboy, The Artist, The Storyteller. The bigger-than-life persona was—and is—surpassed only by a breadth of work that the term “prolific” doesn’t even begin to define.

I had the further honor of visiting Phil and Carmita in their lovely home in Puerto Rico this past summer. I was submerged in the legacy of his life’s work, which proved a magnificent inspiration. Attempting to select works that would represent the various media, styles and subject matter was incredibly challenging. Six hours later— and with 30+ pieces in a tube—I flew back facing the next challenge…framing.

My mission was to present Phil’s work both individually and as a collection. My desire to search for and utilize repurposed frames, while still complementing his work, was just as challenging as deciding which pieces out of a lifetime’s work should be included on our Wall.

If I could have one wish, it would be that somehow we just had more space on this Wall, here at the bar that originally brought us all together and started this journey so many years ago.

Jody Sweitzer Curator

“Carhuaz, Peru 1” signed original, doublesided watercolor and marker 16 x 13 400.

“Carhuaz, Peru 2” signed original, doublesided watercolor and marker 16 x 13 400.

“Centaur” bronze relief 1.75 round 300. (above left) “Cleo the Wrangler” clay with bronze patina 17 x 9 x 9 1200.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

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(left)

“Cottages in Puerto Rico” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink original 23 x 27 350.

“Countryside House 1” unsigned giclée of acrylic on canvas orginal 17 x 13 250.

“Countryside House 2” unsigned giclée of acrylic on canvas orginal 13 x 17 250.

I have a nose for authenticity. I must have read a good 150 books or so about the West in general. I’m still reading.... I’ll tell you something: if I wasn’t an art teacher, I would have been a history teacher .”

(across at bottom)

“Cowboy 1 (Texas Henry Clay)” signed original watercolor and ink 24 x 18 750.

“Cowboy 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Cowboy 3” (across, top right) signed original ink on paper 13 x 11 300.

“Cowboy 4” signed original marker on paper 9 x 7 200. “Cowboy 5” signed original marker on paper 9 x 7 200.

“Cowboy Hat” unsigned giclée of marker and ink orginal 17 x 16 300.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

“Fighting Roosters” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 350.

“Gallos” signed original marker on paper 13 x 19 400.

“Jibaro (Hillbilly) 1” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Jibaro (Hillbilly) 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 350.

“Looking” signed original ink on paper 12 x 10 300.

“The Net” (bottom) unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 350.

“Old Shack” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 18 x 24 450.

“Owls” signed giclée of marker and ink orginal 19 x 28 450. (below) “Patriots of African Descent” bronze relief 2.75 round 300. (right) “Paul Robeson” clay with bronze patina 32 x 10 x 6 NFS

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

“Peruvian Girl” signed giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 450.

“Peruvian Girls” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 20 x 18 400. (left)

“Peruvian Musician” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 400.

“Peruvian Musicians” unsigned giclée of watercolor and ink orginal 24 x 18 350.

(right)

“Rooster 1” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 24 x 18 450. “Rooster 2” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 300.

“Rooster 3” signed original watercolor and ink 8 x 6 250.

“Rooster 4” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 17 x 14 300.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

(below left)

“Scallywags of Madagascar” signed original marker and ink on paper 20 x 16 450.

“Stampede” signed digital copy of Conté on paper original 11 x 13 150. (below right)

“Trackers” signed original ink on paper 10 x 12 300. (right)

“Waso (Chilean Cowboy)” signed giclée of watercolor and ink original 24 x 18 450.

Multiple copies of all giclée prints are available at the same price , unframed and signed by Phil Sumpter.

I love the island, the warmth of her people, their food and their music .”

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