Museum Announces Groundbreaking John T. Biggers Gift
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History announces a ground-breaking gift of 250 works by John T. Biggers from the Hazel Biggers Trust- one of the largest single collections of works on paper from the significant 20th century artist, and Gastonia native.
(November 1st, 2023)- The Gaston County Museum of Art & History, Dallas, N.C. announces the ground-breaking gift of 250 works by John T. Biggers from the Hazel Biggers Trust. The transformative gift consists of works of art on paper, mural sketches, paintings, and a selection of works from the personal collection of John T. Biggers, one of the most significant 20th century American artists. The first pieces by John T. Biggers to be added to the museum’s permanent collection, the selected works are a significant glimpse into the artist’s creative process and span nearly the entirety of his career. “The Gaston County Museum of Art & History in Dallas, North Carolina is now equipped to make and keep history alive for our hometown native, artist, family member and friend, the late Dr. John Thomas Biggers, better known to all of us, as Uncle John.” said Ina O. Biggers, widow of the late James Converse Biggers, Jr.
Ali Pizza, Director of the Gaston County Museum of Art & History says, “The significance of this gift from the Biggers’ family cannot be overstated. The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is only a few miles away from the birthplace, the community, the landscape; the very heart of John T. Biggers’ inspiration as a young artist. Our museum now has the opportunity, and responsibility, to provide visitors with an insight into the monumental impact that John T. Biggers’ artwork had on the world. I am honored that Ms. Ina Biggers, David Hales, and the larger Biggers’ family has trusted us with the stewardship of this important collection.”
Study for "How I Got Over With Hapi", John T. Biggers, Gaston County Museum of Art & History, Permanent Collection
John T. Biggers was born on April 13th, 1924, on West Davidson Ave, in Gastonia’s Highland Community in a home built by his father, Paul Biggers. The youngest of seven children, Biggers’ earliest creative memories were formed in Gastonia. He recalled “at evening time, at fireside, the background behind the circle, around the fire, we’d be with the quilts… there behind us were the women quilting. So, you felt the color and the warmth of the cotton and the wool. You felt all this around you while the people still read, people told stories. There was such a wonderful quality of family and community.” Pizza says about John’s work, “We see these early memories reflected in Biggers’ artwork throughout his lifetime… they appear in the rich quilted patterns that adorn women’s clothing, the repetitive pattern of shotgun houses forming the landscape, and in themes of work, family, and community.”
"Biggers at Boyhood Home" Earlie Hudnall, Jr. Image courtesy of the artist
Biggers studied at Lincoln Academy in Kings Mountain, at Hampton University, and received his PhD from Penn State University. He then founded the Art Department at Texas Southern University in 1949 and spent much of his life and career working in Houston, where he inspired a number of prominent 20th century artists such as Earlie Hudnall Jr. who says, “John Biggers introduced me to the world of African art. He’d say, ‘life is art’, and believed that the universality of the human spirit is what art is all about.” Hudnall said of Biggers’ time at Texas Southern University “John Biggers influenced numerous students. We all went on our own routes, but it was John T. Biggers who set us on our journey.” Biggers was a mentor to many 20th and 21st artists including Nelllie Ashford who wrote “The significance of honoring Dr. John T. Biggers' works in the Gaston County Museum of Art and History is a wonderful way to allow many people who will visit the museum to see the brilliant works of art by an awesome genius. It means so much to me, an honorable, priceless, and a more inspirational way for me as an artist to do as he said and instructed me, "paint, girl, paint!"
Despite his success, John T. Biggers faced enormous obstacles in his life as an artist in segregated America. Biggers’ won awards for his artwork at both the Dallas Museum of Art and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts but was unable to attend his own exhibition receptions due to segregationist policies at the time. “Imagine being awarded for your artwork, but not allowed to attend your awards reception because of the color of your skin... That was my Uncle John’s reality in 1950” said Biggers’ nieces Tania Byers, Tosha Byers and Deirdre Davis.
While in Houston, John T. Biggers received a UNESCO fellowship to travel to West Africa in 1957. It was during his trip to Africa that Biggers’ work took on new meaning and informed the remainder of his career. He wrote of his time in Africa, “the time has come for me to portray the fountain of African life… we went on to Kumasi… There I struggled for days to portray the African woman—“maame”, which means mother- in her golden glory.” Some of Biggers’ sketches from West Africa are included in the recent gift to the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, including “African Women, Ghana Market at Kumasi, 1957” which features several women facing each other, carrying baskets on proud heads, exemplifying the familiar theme in Biggers’ work of women as “the Great Mother”, the maternal spirit of all things.
"African Women, Ghana Market at Kumasi, 1957", John T. Biggers, Gaston County Museum of Art & History, Permanent Collection
Biggers felt a strong connection between the women he met in Africa and the women in he knew in Gastonia. Hudnall says, “Biggers’ journey began in Gastonia where he received his moral base and values from his family. Wherever he went on his journey he always carried Gastonia in his heart…His journey has found a final spot, and it’s Gastonia.” Many members of the Biggers’ family supported the recent gift to the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, including Dwaun and Audrey June, God children of Ina and the late James C. Biggers, Jr. who wrote “Home, sweet home is what comes to mind when we think of the treasures of world-renowned artist and Gastonia native John Biggers becoming part of a permanent collection at the Gaston County Museum of Art and History. Uncle John's art communicated the importance of family, perseverance, and triumph over hardship. Uncle John’s collections will allow everyone to enjoy the depth of his work, while planting the seeds that we all can overcome and achieve.”
John T. Biggers’ artistic influence was on a national scale. In 1994, Biggers illustrated Maya Angelou’s poem, “Our Grandmothers”. Angelou said “John Biggers, one of America’s most important artists, leads us through his expressions into the discovery of ourselves at our most intimate level. Biggers sees our differences and celebrates them, and in doing so he allows the clans of the world to come together with deliberate respect and respectful appreciation.”
"John Biggers in His Studio, 1986" by Earlie Hudnall, Jr. Image courtesy of the artist
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History acquired the John T. Biggers collection gift on September 18th, 2023, and is in the process of inventorying the artwork, conducting condition reports, and planning for conservation before the artwork can go on display. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees are working alongside Curator Alicyn Wiedrich and Collections Manger Shannon White to plan for exhibition of selected works from the gift so that Gaston County and the region can share in experiencing this transformative collection.
John T. Biggers’ murals can be seen in North Carolina at Winston Salem State University, and at the North Carolina State Legislators building. His artwork is included in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and now the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, among many others.
To learn more about John T. Biggers and the recent gift to the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, please visit www.gastoncountymuseum.org or email Director, Ali Pizza at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Statements about John T. Biggers, and the recent gift to the Gaston County Museum of Art & History
Untitled sketch, John T. Biggers, Gaston County Museum of Art & History, Permanent Collection
“History does repeat itself but it can't be repeated if it isn't known. The Gaston County Art and History Museum Dallas, North Carolina is now equipped to make and keep history alive for our hometown native, artist, family member and friend, the late Dr. John Thomas Biggers, better known to all of us, as Uncle John. In September 2023, the museum acquired a special and precious donation by the Biggers/Hales Family Estate. The acquisition of these works include, works by Uncle John, sketches, doodling, and precious pieces from the African Collections of John and Hazel Biggers. Aunt Hazel Hales Biggers, the late wife of Uncle John will always be revered as the backbone, cohesiveness and reason for Uncle John's successes. Always in the background nurturing and clearing the way for him to do what he loved, "ART"!!!
You may be wondering how this happened. The late James"Jim" Converse Biggers, Jr. artist and nephew of the late Dr. John T. Biggers had dreams of seeing the works of his renowned uncle and mentor/father figure be housed for all of Gastonia and Gaston County to see and learn about this great family member. The housing of these works in the museum will allow visitors and anyone seeking information to be able to do so with a simple click of the mouse as well as view works as needed hanging in the museum. Jim's foresight on "bringing John's work home" has come full circle to his native Gastonia, as spoken to a Gazette news reporter in the 1990's. How befitting this is happening a few days after family celebrated the "75th" birthday of Jim between HEAVEN and EARTH.
Get ready Gaston County and Gastonia City for "a new thing, a new experience in learning history" through the eyes, heart, soul and very essense of this great artist extraordinaire that we know and call Uncle John!
Thank you Alexandrea Pizza, Museum Director, Board of Trustees, and family for allowing us to be a part of this dream come true NOW rather than LATER.”
- Ina O. Biggers, Widow of the late James Converse Biggers, Jr.James Converse Biggers III and John Robert Biggers, Sr., Sons of the late James Converse Biggers, Jr.Gastonia, N. C., Nephews and niece of Dr. John Thomas Biggers
“The significance of John T. Biggers' artwork transformed the cultural reflection of the African culture into the world with the expression of his art. It is compassionate, meaningful and provides a light into the world through his lens. It is important for us to continue to provide a resource to the community with the legacy of Dr. John Biggers art to showcase his impact into our society with the Gaston County Museum of Art and History in Dallas, North Carolina.”
- Derek Webber, Cousin of John T. Biggers, Charlotte, N. C.
“The significance of honoring Dr, John T. Biggers' works in the Gaston County Museum of Art and History is a wonderful way to allow not only Gaston County and Gastonia City residents but many people who will visit the museum to see the brilliant works of art by an awesome genius.
It means so much to me, an honorable, priceless, and a more inspirational way for me as an artist to do as he said and instructed me, ‘Paint Girl Paint’!”
- Nellie Ashford, Artist, Charlotte, North Carolina, Mentee of both the late Dr. John T. Biggers and the late Mr. James "Jim" Converse Biggers Jr,
"What a wonderful opportunity to enhance the legacy of Dr. John Biggers, especially with the citizens of Gaston County. Everyone loves a story based on local man makes good. After John grew up in Gastonia, he went on to become a renowned artist, professor and art ambassador. Gaston County is very fortunate to have Dr Biggers' work to display to the world!"
- Walter Joseph Archey, Jr., Aledo, Texas, Nephew of Uncle John
“Home, sweet home is what comes to mind when we think of the treasures of world-renowned artist and Gastonia native John Biggers becoming part of a permanent collection at the Gaston County Museum of Art and History. Uncle John's art communicated the importance of family, perseverance, and triumph over hardship. That message touched people around the world--especially Africa, where he made lifelong friendships. Uncle John's collections will allow everyone to enjoy the depth of his work, while planting the seeds that we all can overcome and achieve.”
- Dwaun and Audrey June, Alexandria, Virginia, God children of Ina and the late James Converse Biggers, Jr.
“To me, the significance of Uncle John’s artwork is the depth of his subject matter. He dives deep into his medium and incorporates his unique rhythm that combines subjects such as sacred geometry, folklore, and mythology just to name a few. His artwork, full of knowledge and wisdom, tells stories like no other. I am proud to call him my uncle!
Being that Gastonia is Uncle John’s birthplace. I believe that as a Gastonia Native, an artist of his caliber and with his accomplishments deserves to be celebrated by his hometown for his world renowned artwork. It was hard for Black Americans during the Jim Crow era in America. Black Artists in America are were not and still are not given the same recognition as their peers. Imagine being awarded for your artwork, but not allowed to attend your awards reception because of the color of your skin... That was my Uncle John’s reality in 1950. It is admirable of the Gaston County Museum of Art and History to house a collection of my great-uncle’s artwork, not because he’s Black, but because he deserves it. Although he is no longer with us in the physical realm to receive this honorable recognition, I’m sure he is smiling down on us all.”
- Tania Byers, Tosha Byers, Deirdre Davis, daughters of Sandra Biggers Byers, nieces of Uncle John
“Dr. John Biggers, better known to his family as Uncle John, was an early pioneer in translating the rich heritage of African life into American art. As an educator and artist, he was so dedicated that he created the art department at Texas Southern University to enhance art education for aspiring students. He came to prominence after the Harlem Rennaissance, which was very significant
It is important for his works of art to be a part of this community because the citizens of Gaston county should know that this great man was created in Gastonia (Gaston county) North Carolina. This is home. He was very proud of home and family.”
- Francis and Nancy Webber, cousins of Uncle John
“John Biggers work in Gastonia completes the pan African significance of who we are in America. We being those of us of African decent. Answering the very existential question of what we do and how we define ourselves going forward.”
- Michael Archey, Sr., nephew of Uncle John
“John Biggers was my brother in law. John and my sister Hazel married when I was only two years old. I viewed John Biggers first as my brother in law with great wisdom and intelligence and second as an artist and college professor.
John’s earlier art from the 40’s and 50’s expresses his view and plight of African Americans in the United States. The garbage man painted in 1944 and the Old Couple (aka Home Sweet Home), 1944 are examples of his earlier works.
In our conversations, his vision was that the United States would become a just society and that no one in this country should be homeless or hungry because this country has an enormous amount wealth.
The two works shown below should generate some thought from any viewer. In my opinion his earlier work such as the two mentioned had a social meaning. After his trips to Africa, his work evolved to reflect broader views of the African American heritage.
John is known as an artist for his drawings, but he is also known for his murals. The murals are a rich part of Houston's visual and public landscape.
John Biggers was born and raised in Gastonia, Gaston County and attended Lincoln Academy which was close by. As a teenager, John Biggers applied to Hampton Institute now Hampton University to become a plumber and submitted a drawing of a boiler with his application. A Hampton professor, Viktor Lowenfeld spotted John’s talent and convinced him to change his major to art. When Viktor Lowenfeld moved to Pennsylvania State University, he convinced John to transfer to Pennsylvania State University. John Biggers received his BA, MA and D.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University.
It is befitting that his work be exhibited in the Gaston County Museum of Art History. Hopefully, the exhibition will encourage youths to dream and to discover their untapped talents.”
- David Hales, brother of the late Hazel Hales Biggers, and brother in-law of John T. Biggers. Severn MD.
