COURTESY CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
The California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles has received a gift of 32 paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works by African-American artists—including Sam Doyle, Georgia Speller, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Purvis Young, and others—from collector and scholar Gordon W. Bailey. Notable among the gifted artworks is Doyle’s St. Helena’s Black Merry Go Rond (ca. 1980–83), which depicts narratives related to the Gullah culture of the American South.
“CAAM is honored to acquire this important collection of artworks, which furthers our mission of preserving and interpreting the art, history, and culture of African Americans,” George O. Davis, the executive director of CAAM, said in a statement.
Bailey, who curated a 2013 CAAM exhibition titled “Soul Stirring: African American Self-taught Artists from the South,” believes the museum, in its efforts to elevate the work of lesser-known artists, serves an important purpose in the cultural landscape of the city. “Each visit to CAAM strengthens my resolve and validates my conviction that the brilliant works created by many marginalized artists merit a fair review,” he said in a statement. “CAAM’s exhibitions are broad ranging and relevant, and the museum’s dynamic programming, often featuring prominent speakers, is a huge plus for Los Angeles. It is an honor to be able to contribute.”