Which must explain the funny jolt I got this afternoon when I saw a photograph dated 2004 and attributed to Jacob Lawrence, the most famous African American painter who ever lived—and who died in 2000. Lawrence was based in Seattle for decades; stuff around here is named after him. He made figurative paintings that were red and blue and green and yellow and black and white. He never made a photograph, let alone a conceptual, affectionate, blown-up mug shot of a vaquero (cowboy).
But the idea of him doing it is kind of hilariously awesome. I'm trying to imagine the situation that brought the two of them together for this fictional, posthumous shoot.
This is my screen grab from the gallery's web site—which may be fixed by now. Soon you'll only be able to enjoy it here.
I recognize the piece because it has been shown locally before. It's by Hugo Ludena. He's alive! And Latino. And local. And wonderful.
