Photos by Trevor Arrondo
Antoine Prince, Jr. is a native of New Orleans. He is a graduate of Southern University at New Orleans where he received his Bachelor Art degree in Art Education. He also attended New Orleans Center of Creative Arts (NOCCA) for one year in an intensive visual art program. However, it was at Southern University at New Orleans, under the tutelage of instructors in the Art Department that his expression of art was fully realized.
PRINCE, as he is widely known, captivated the art world by hosting his first solo exhibition in 1991 entitled, “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER”. Since that momentous event, he has done numerous art exhibitions including, most recently, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art the CAC, Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, the Isaac Delgato Fine Art Gallery and the NCA, National Conference of Artist MLK Art Exhibitions. Prince has also taken his art shows throughout the state and country. Jazz Fest, Essence, Miami Black Heritage Festival and the Denver Black Arts Festival are several of his stops. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he relocated his family to Atlanta. Now, after a ten-year hiatus, he has returned with new eyes and zeal to put his visions on canvas. PRINCE is currently a teacher in the Talented Visual Art program at John Ehret High School in Marrero, Louisiana.
The Cover Painting is entitled: “In Search Of”. The first time this painting has been shown to the public was during the 2022 Essence Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. The second time it has been shown is truly a Work of Love. Our Very Own City of San Antonio is home to: The Eye of The Beholder Art Gallery. Owner & Founder, Maria Magdelena (Maria Williams) has curated an exhibit that features Antoine Prince and his artist brother Steve Prince. It is the first time that both brothers will be exhibiting their work together.
Known as a Social Justice Artist, Antoine shares with us some insight into this painting. Created on canvas with oil paints, this painting depicts the soul and essence of an account attributed to the Igbo Tribe from Africa. Presented as a contemporary composition, this painting zooms in on the past and converges that past into a present point in time. The account in focus for this painting is geared on these words: they would rather prefer death than a life in slavery. Antoine states that in this work the “Ancestors are speaking to the individual in the boat and the individual is searching for truth and knowledge of self.”
This painting is intended to be thought provoking. An opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds, diverse life experiences, to feel safe to discuss topics that impact society and then be able to understand in a way that prompts actions and decision making for improvement.
“In Search Of” is that moment of then, and now and to the future. The strength to attempt any improvement is to advance in knowing the past, better ensuring wise movements for the future.
In The Eye of The Beholder Art Gallery & Studio is located at 1917 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78208. For more information, please call (210) 600-4141 .
