THE GREAT FRAME UP SUPPORTS AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTISTS AUGUST FEATURE: MELVIN EDWARDS BY ANGELA JACKSON DES MOINES, IOWA – As a local custom frame retailer and art gallery, The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines enjoys supporting the visual arts. This month we introduce readers to celebrated American abstractsteel metalsculptor, based in New York City from Houston, Texas –Melvin Edwards. Melvin Edwards (b. May 4, 1937) is a pioneer in the history of contemporary African-American art and sculpture. Born in Houston, Texas, he beganhis artistic career at the University of Southern California, where he met and was mentored by Hungarian painter Francis de Erdely. In 1965 the Santa Barbara Museum of Art organized Edwards’ first solo exhibition, which launched his professional career. He moved to New York City in 1967, where shortly after his arrival, his work was exhibited at the then newly created Studio Museum, and in 1970 became the first African-American sculptor to have works presented in a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum. Melvin Eugene Edwards, Jr., was born in Houston, Texas, the eldest of his parents’ four children. He was introduced to abstract art in high school, which inspired him to pursue art.Edwards is a graduate of the University of Southern Californiaand also studied at Los Angeles City College, and the Los Angeles County Art Institute. In 1964, he began teaching at San Bernardino Valley College.
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