John Anansa Thomas Biggers (Virginia / Texas, 1924-2001), sleeping form of young boy, studio lithograph, 1968, signed and numbered, ed. 6/10

sight: 15 x 21 in., frame: 21 x 27 in.

John Biggers's art, often in the form of public murals, was grounded in the humanistic spirit and social realist narrative style of the 1930's and 40's. Over the years it grew increasingly emblematic, with figures and architectural forms arranged in intricate patterns that suggested quilts, African textiles and modernist geometric abstraction. After two years in the Navy, he entered Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a master's degree in art education in 1948 and a Ph.D. in 1954. He also created a series of murals for the University. In 1949 Mr. Biggers joined the faculty of Texas State University for Negroes in Houston, now Texas Southern University, where he established and was chairman of the art department. He was awarded first prize in 1950 for his painting "The Cradle" at the annual exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Segregationist policies, however, allowed black visitors into the museum only on Thursdays, so he could not attend the show's opening. Later he completed many public murals in Houston and elsewhere, including two in 1991 for Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Most of his murals are still in place. Mr. Biggers retired from Texas Southern University in 1983 and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Hampton University in 1990.

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