Lucian Crump Art Gallery

By Alecia L.Dean

Lucien Crump Art Gallery, in conjunction with October Gallery, presented a Christmas Art Auction on Friday, December 17, 2004. Art Afcionados bid on original paintings, lithographs, original prints, and posters, just in time for holiday giving. Lucien Crump II, the gallery ’s founder, and Mercer Redcross, art auctioneer and owner of October Gallery, were both on hand to lend their expertise in choosing and bidding on premium African American art. The gallery is located at 6380 Germantown Avenue, in the Philadelphia neighborhood of the same name.

A naturally talented artist, who began painting at the age of 7, Lucien Crump ’s own art “... can be found in the collections of Bill Cosby and Harry Belafonte, and other private collections. ”Crump was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Morehouse College and Southern University. He received a Master of Art degree in 1982 from New York University, and taught art in four different states for a total of 27 years.I n 1979, Crump founded his art gallery of the samename, which he proudly declares, “Is the first privately owned black art gallery in Philadelphia. ”And in 1983, a business relationship with Mercer Redcross turned into a dealers collaboration. Crump ’s gallery showcases various forms of art from the African diaspora. Although he retired from teaching in 1991, he passes on artististic traditions today by creating and selling various forms of artistic expression to those that had sought these mediums and found them difficult to find.

Crump ’s own artistry has appeared in several galleries and museums.His latest work, completed in 1994, is a 25 by 14-foot cruxificion hanging in Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Philadelphia.On observation, the rough texture of the painting’s brushstrokes are noticeable,perhaps signifying the battle for righteousness and harsh circumstances Christ endured throughout his short life and ministry. Of all the art he sells at Crump Gallery,“... depictions of Christ are his biggest seller ”. (continued on page 46)

Philadelphia police officer Joseph H.Cain, Jr., was at the auction to buy a Christmas gift for his parents. He offered this about the works found at the Gallery. “Within the past seven years I began collecting art.The pieces I get from this gallery show the creative side of our people.What I purchased, “Four Stages of the Cross, is an investment for a lifetime ”. Cain also noted, “Whether the art is abstract or impressionistic, it is the creativity of the black artist that makes America great.”

Another outstanding original work at the gallery is the paint on burlap work, encapturing the town Renova, Mississippi. In burgundy and brown earth tones, the artist’s rendering of three somber-faced sharecroppers dressed in black garb and hats highlight the hardship of life for farm workers in the rural South. One can literally feel the mud beneath these workers feet as depicted by the painting’s thick burlap canvass,back dropped in a sunless sky.This is only one example of the stirring art documenting the black experience at Crump Gallery.

Alicia Easley of Philadelphia was one of many art patrons at the gallery who outbid the competition for a Christmas gift of the visual nature.Although it was her first time at the Crump Gallery, Easley began art collecting in the galleries of New Orleans and Miami. She was introduced to Lucien Crump by an art framer friend, who put on corporate art shows; he provided her with guidelines for choosing pieces. “I started going to art expos and started reading about art, and attended a seminar the African American Cultural and Historical Museum gave on collecting art. Easley advised, “When you pick art, it has to be something you love. It ’s hard to pick art for other people because what you love, they may not ”. At the auction, Alicia successfully bid on the theme poster for the 2004 October Gallery Art Show poster, “Parasols ”, by Charles Bibbs, an artist who “Fuses African American,African,and Native American cultural themes to make powerful cross cultural statements.”She chose the poster, “Piano Man”as a Christmas gift for her son, who loves music.

Reminiscing on some of the other artists of distinction he has met and established friendships with,Lucien takes great pride. In 1987, he was host to the renowned Romare and Nanette Bearden’s Art Exhibition and Dance Ensemble, held at the Port of History Museum of Philadelphia. “It was an honor for me to host this event. Romare Bearden’s works are still popular because good art never dies.It seasons itself.”Crump gleamed as he looked through his photo album documenting Bearden ’s last exhibition. ”Fads also come and go, but really good art maintains a steady pace-things like correct anatomical structure and proper painting.”


For more information on the works for sale at
Lucien Crump Art Gallery, contact (215) 843-8788
or visit www.luciencrump.com.