Michael Escoffery
PAINTER · SCULPTOR · WRITER
Michael's current pieces reflect his experiences and the influences of his visits to different cultures. Following time-off in 1999, Escoffery traveled extensively across North America, Europe and Asia .
His works now reflect more focus with less concern on style. His message is subliminal with sensitivity for his subjects. Escoffery, however, remains true to his favorite subject - the female form. He shows an understanding of the physical as well as the emotional and spiritual sides of women. Escoffery's recent bronze sculptures are studies in movement and forms, of a figure frozen in time and space.
Born in Kingston , Jamaica the early age of 10 that he wanted to pursue a career in art. Later, in his 20s, he migrated to the United States
But he never lost sight of his goals. Today, his work adds a touch of grace to the walls of congress and United States the importance of success is not financial as much as it is creative.
He has won numerous awards for his work including several from the United States the cake," he says, flashing his trademark wide grin. "They point the direction I should go and remind me of where I've been."
His philosophy is simple, yet profound: "You can do anything you want even if the world says you can't."
Like his heroes, Picasso, Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden, Escoffery is also cutting a path for himself. His art transcends boundaries as he captures the essence of provocative sexual pleasures or the beauty of the female form. Yet, he is also deep into the history of his people, capturing the m on canvas with his spectacular, "400 Years of My People," a graphic composition on the odyssey of Africans to the Americas
Othe r spectacular pieces include "Mothe r & Son," and "Circle of Love," which details his belief in women as the symbol of courage and strength in the black society. His "Moonlight Lovers," "The Lovers," and "Amor And Psyche," captures the age-old dance of the jungle; in "Embrace," he strives to encapsulate in one canvas, the intensity of unbridled human passion, while in "Swan Song," and Whisper," Escoffery is enamored by the beauty of the human form.
MAJOR SERIES
"ABSTRACT REALISM"
Escoffery's on-going fascination with relationship between abstraction and realism.
"ALL THAT JAZZ"
A series of collages, works on paper and oils on canvas, exploring Jazz music.
"ICONOGRAPHY"
Painting of everyday objects unique to the Jamaican culture.
MALCOLM X
Thirty-five (35) works on paper dedicated to the memory of the late civil rights leader Malcolm X.
"STARS & STRIPES"
Fifty-six (56) paintings of the US Flag. Escoffery uses the American flag in ways its creator would not have dreamed, presenting it in every imaginable variety of folds and drapes thereby transcending its identity to pure form.
400 YEARS OF MY PEOPLE
A total of 75 portraits and paintings depicting the African Diaspora Images portrayed in these works represent symbols in the struggle of African-Caribbean-American history throughout the past 400 years.
"THINK LIBERTY"
A series of paintings paying tribute to the victims of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Published a limited Edition Print "Think Liberty to benefit the families and victims.
MAJOR WORKS
· 2003 "EROCTIA Paintings and Drawings exploring images and ideas of Sexuality.
· 2001 Created 50 works in Memory of 9-11 victims (Painting and Life size sculptures.
· 2000 Published "Mother and Child to benefit the University of the West Indies Capital Development Fund
· 1998 Published "The Lovers, Limited Edition Print
· 1998 Continued working on large scale paintings and series of bronze sculptures
· 1997 "Sins of the Fathers, An 8x15 feet Mural style painting telling the history of Jamaica from Columbus to the present.
· 1997 Created the "Marcus Garvey Award, A Bronze sculpture for the Barbados Multinational Conference.
· 1996 "Images of Eve, A collection of Mixed Media painting on hand made Paper celebrating the beauty and power of women.
· 1996 "Riven of Babylon, A Limited Edition Bronze sculpture.
· 1996 "Circle of Love, First publishing of a signed and numbered hand pulled Serigraph.
· 1995 "History Revisited, Paintings exploring historical subjects.
· 1995 Published "Incognito and "The Prayer Limited Edition Prints.
· 1994 Experimented with Geometric Squares and Primary Colors.
· 1993 Completed "400 Years of My People.
· 1993 Published "Jan Trio and "Boudoir posters.
· 1992 Completed 35 works on Paper dedicated to the Memory of "Malcolm X.
· 1990 Created 50 Paintings on the Desert Storm war: "Stars & Stripes Exhibited at the Bronx Town Hall to honor the troops along with the New York City Parade.
SELECTED PERMANENT PUBLIC EXHIBITION
· Macsee de Ia Cornmanderie D'unet, Paris, France
· Finnabirk, Gambit, Nutrigen Stuttgart, Germany
· Nurtigen Town Hall, Stuttgatt, Germany
· lstron Bay Hotel, Crete, Greece
· Harvard University, Boston, MA
· Virginia State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
· The Jamaican Consulate, Toronto, Canada
· The Jamaican Consulate, Japan
· The Jamaican Consulate, New York, New York
· Embassy of Jamaica, Washington, D.C.
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jamaica
a University of the West Indies (Mona Campus Jamaica) Sun Life Insurance Company, Toronto, Canada
a Jamaica High Commission, London, England
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingston, Jamaica
· Jamaica Tourist Board, Miami, Florida
-Jamaica Consulate, New York, New York
· Jamaica Consulate, Tokyo, Japan
· Jamaica Consulate, Toronto, Canada
- Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
· Firmabirk-Gambit, Nurtigen Stuttgart, Germany
· Virginia State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
· Istron Bay Hotel, Crete, Greece
· Musee de Ia Commander d'unet, Paris, France
· National Breast Cancer Committee, Washington, D.C.
· Macy's Corp., Pentagon City, Virginia
· Ffriend Enterprise Ltd., New York, New York
· City Council Building, Toronto, Canada
· M.R. Heal & Company, New York, New York
SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
· The Rt. Hon P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica
- Hon. Richard Bernal, Fonner Ambassador of Jamaica to the U.S.A.
· Hon. Robert Brown, Major, South Orange, NJ
· Hon. David N. Dinkins, Former Mayor of New York
· Ms. Roberta Flack, Internationally Renowned Artist
· Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
· Rev. Al Sharpton, Civil Rights Activist
· The late Dr. Betty Shabazz, Wife of the late Malcolm X
· HRH Prince George, Crown Prince of Servenia
· Hon. Edward Seaga, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica
· Hon. Howard Cooke, Governor General of Jamaica
· Hon, Margaretta St. Juste, Former Consulate General of Toronto, Canada
· The late Hon. Michael Manley, Former Prime Minister of Jamaica
· Hon. Una S.T. Clarke, Former Council Member of New York City
· The late Hon. Kay Baxter, Former Consulate General of New York
· Dr. Julius Garvey, Son of the late Marcus Garvey, New York Hon. Samuel Bea, Jr., New York State Assembly Member
· Dr. Trevor Forbes, New York, New York
· Dr. Dudley Jackman, New York, New York
· Hon. Charles Rangel, Congressman, New York
· Hon. David Jefferson, Prime Minister Barbados, West Indies
· Hon. Gordon "Butch Stewart, Chairman, Air Jamaica
· Hon. David Gallop, Barbados, West Indies
· Hon. Judge Sam Walker, Westchester, New York
· Revlon International
· Ivan Ffriend Enterprise, New York
· Maya Angelou - Educator, Poet, Writer
· Honorable Ernest Davis, Major of Mount Vernon
AWARDS
· U.S. Navy Artist of the Century
· The Michael Escoffery Day, New York, New York
· N.A.A.C.P. Black Achievers Award,
· Fin de Siecle Artist, Lever House Group
· Honorary Doctorate of Fine Art, Virginia State University
· Maska International Gallery Living Legend Award
· Virginia State University Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
· Citation for Excellence Manhattan Borough President 1996
· Citation for Excellence Manhattan Borough President 1997
· Citation for Excellence Manhattan Borough President 2002
· Proclamation from the New York City Council 2003
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1998
"Spirit of a People, Art 54 Gallery, Soho, New York "Escoffery, The Center for Ait, Westchester, New York "Vision Quest Series, Marine Midland Bank, Soho, New York "Women History Month, YMCA, Brooklyn, New York "Escoffery The Painter, Sibman Gallery, Paris, France "Escoffery New Works, Savacou Gallery, New York, New York "New American Art Show, Tweed Gallery, New York, New York "Escoffery At The Jamaican Consulate, New York, New York "National Black Fine Arts Show, New York, New York
1997
"Reminiscence, A rare and unique exhibition of Escoffery's drawings and works on paper for the Grand Opening of Tallawah Studio Gallery, New York City, established to exclusively represent Michael Escoffery.
"With These Hands, Escoffery's sculpture honoring Marcus Garvey for the Multinational Business Conference, Barbados.
"Escoffery's New Works, New Harlem Gallery New York, New York "National Black Fine Arts Show, New York, New York 4hEscoffeI.y Jamaica Jamboree, Jamaica Tourist Board, Toronto, Canada "Escoffery, Die Treppe Galerie, Stuttgart, Germany "Escoffery, Westchester Country Club, Westchester, New York "A Salute to Women, Women's History March, Brooklyn, New York "A Retrospective, N.B.C. TV. Studios, New York, New York
1996
"Escoffery, Ffriend Enterprise, New York, New York "Escoffery's Nudes, The Tunnel-Great Hall Gallery, New York, New York "Escoffery Untitled, New Harlem Gallery, New York, New York
1995
"Escoffery's Visions, Jamaica Consulate, Toronto, Canada "Escoffery Paints, Savacou Gallery, New York, New York
1994
"Escoffery's Recent Workshops, Mutual Life Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica. "Escoffery Jamaica Independence, Jamaica Consulate, New York, New York.
993
"Escoffery Oil on Canvas, Savacou Gallery, New York, New York "Jamaican Artist, Escoffery, Jamaica Consulate, Toronto, Canada
1992
"Fin Do Siecle Artist, Lever House, New York, New York "International Fine Art Exhibit, Musee De La Comnianderie D'Unet, Paris, France "International Fine An Exhibit, Miami, Florida & Dallas, Texas ~~14th Annual Exhibition, Gallery 12, New York, New York "Being and Becoming, Hudson Guild, New York, New York ~~12th Annual African Caribbean Exhibition, New York, New York "A Day Without An, New York, New York
"Escnffery, Coogans, New York, New York
"Escoffery Jamaica's 30th Independence, Jamaica Consulate, New York, New York "Michael Escoffery's Recent Paintings, Gallery Saireido, Soho, New York "Michael Escoffery's Works, AT&T Belt Labs, New Jersey
"Michael Escoffery's Quest, Maska International Gallery, Seattle, Washington "Michael Escoffery Paintings, Whitehall Gallery, New York, New York "400 Yean of My People, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia "Escoffery Recent Works, Savacou Galley, New York, New York "Escoffery Works on Paper, Bronx Town Hall, Bronx, New York
1991
"International Artist, Art 54, Soho, New York, New York "Celebration of Black Creativity, Hudson Guild, New York, New York "Movers And Shaken, Montserrat Gallery, Soho, New York "The Achievers, Mutual Life Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica "International Exhibition, The Artisan Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica "Stars & Stripes Escoffery, Bronx Town Hall, Bronx, New York "Abstract Elements Escoffery, Whitehall Gallery, New York, New "Modern Contemporary An, Chim Gregg Art Gallery, La Puenta, "Michael Escoffery Oils and Pastels, La Petite Gallery, Burlington, "Escoffery At Masks International Gallery, Seattle, Washington "Escoffery Drawings and Works on Paper, Whitehall Gallery, New "New York Happening, Die Treppe Galeris, Stuttgart, Germany "Nurtigen Town Hall, West Germany
"Firma Birk, Gmbit ," Nurtigan/Stuttgart, Germany "Istron Bay Hotel, Crete, Greece "Escoffery Untitled, Savacou Gallery, New York, New York "400 Years of My People, Bronx Town Hall, New York "400 Years of My People, Harvard University, Boston, MA "Michael Escoffery Paintings, AT&T Bell Labs, New JerseyYork
California
Vermont
York, New York
1990
"Contemporary Black Artist, 843 Studio Gallery, New York, New York "USA-Europe, Gallery Art 54, Soho, New York
"Solw On The Run, Montserrat Gallery, Soho, New York "The New Generation, Savacou Gallery, New York, New York "Artists For AIDS, Clock Tower Gallery, New York, New York
1989
"Escoffery, 3rd Avenue Gallery, Denver, Colorado
PUBLICATIONS
· Caribbean American Newspaper
· Caribbean Daylight Newspaper
· Caribbean Life
- Caribbean News
· City Sun Newspaper
· Class Magazine
· The Amsterdam News
· The Jamaican Herald
· The Washington Post
· The American Art Reference
· Harvard University Press
· Manhattan Art Magazine
· The Jamaica Gleaner
· New York Arts Magazine
· New York Art Review
· Who is Who In Art
· The Artist Market
· NewYork Carib News
· Footnotes Newspaper
· Sunstorm Art Magazine
· University of Virginia Press
· African Voices
· Our Voice
· The Art Newspaper
· Toronto Daily Newspaper
· Vermont Statewide Art Press
· Where New York Magazine XNews
PUBLISHED WRITINGS
"Columbus Hero or Villain
"History Revisited
"Juneteenth
"Proud To Be One In A Million, Million-Man March ~Racism In The Promised Land
"The Artist and Society
"The Burning Of Black Churches
"400 Years of My People
Escoffery is currently working on his first novel.
INDEPENDENT FILM PRODUCTION
In 2000 and 2001, Escoffery directed and produced an independent film entitled "Still Water, and was the Art Director for the movie "Georgia On My Mind?'
PUBLISHED WORKS
"A Child Is Born, Oil on Paper, 1996, Escoffery. Inside. Color. William H. Sadlier, Inc.: "We Believe K.
"Amour and Psyche, Mixed Media 1998, Escoffery. Cover. Editorial Use. Wadsworth Publishing Company.: Sex and Religion
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for cover of Christian Board of
Publication: Preaching Corinth 1-13.
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Concordia Publishing House: "To All Eternity.
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Encyclopedia of African-American Heritage: Facts on File. Online use.
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Inside. Black and White. P.M. Gordon Association: "Encyclopedia of Psychological Disorders Chelsea House.
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for Editorial. Concordia Publishing House: "To All Eternity.
"Circle of Love, Mixed Media,1996, Escoffery. Used for Editorial. Scott Foresman:
Textbook- Making Music, Grade 2.
"Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Inside. Color. "Encyclopedia Britannica Intermediate Online.
"Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for inside cover of Marshall Cavendish Corporation, "Great American Writers: Twentieth Century-Volume IV.
"Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for inside cover of Marshall Cavendish Corporation/Benchmark B "Letters from Home front: Civil War.
"Juneteenth, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for Orientation Video Display. Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site., Hil]man & Cart.
"Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Inside. Color. The American Bible Society: "Jubilee and Good News Bible Samplers.
"Mother and Son, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Used for "Pea in the Pod, Store Poster.
"Mother and Son, Mixed Media, 1996, EscotTery. Inside. Cover. Mother's Work:
"Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 9/E.
"Mother and Son Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. Marshall Cavendish, School Division: "Encyclopedia of 20th Century American Literature, Vol. 1.
"Moonlight Lovers, Oil on Paper, 1996. Escoffery. AlIyn and Bacon: "Psychology and Life.
"Summer Madness, Mixed Media, 1993, Escoffery. Inside. Kirchoff Wohlberg, Inc.: Halt, Rinehart and Winston, "Element of Literature Grade 11.
"Summer Madness, Mixed Media, 1993, Escoffery. Full Page Editorial. Kirchoff Wohlberg, Inc.: HoIt, Rinehart and Winston, "Element of Literature , Course 5, Grade
"Summer Madness, Mixed Media, 1993, Escoffery. Online. Kirchoff Wohlberg,
Inc.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, "Element of Literature , Course 5, Grade 11.
Summer Madness, Mixed Media, 1993, Escoffery. Used for Editorial. Sopris West Educational Services. Languagel The Comprehensive Literacy Curriculum.
"The Embrace, Mixed Media, 1996, Escoffery. Inside. Black and White. "Tenderheaded: A Comb-Beding Collection of Ha, Pocket Books.
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. Color. The American Bible Society: "Jubilee and Good News Bible Samplers.
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. Color. NW Florida Newspaper Article, The American Bible Society.
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. Color. Oxford University Press: Book of American Children's Poems, Paperback.
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. Color. The American Bible Society: "African-American Jubilee Edition,
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Inside. "Encyclopedia of 20th Century American Literature, Vol. 1.
"400 Years of Our People, Mixed Media, 1994-1995, Escoffery. Blackside, Inc.:
"Exodus This Far By Faith. Video use.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery on a Positive Successful Ascent, New York Supplement, November 1991, p. 28.
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery Exhibits Honors Persian Gulf Veterans, New York Supplement, July 1991, p. 16.
Barbara Simpson, "Persian Gulf Veterans honored at "Escoffery Exhibition, The Daily Gleaner (Jamaica), June 1991, p.31.
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery Stars and Stripes, Artist Equity Magazine, March 1991, p.6.
Barbara Simpson, "Portrait of an Uncluttered Mind, Jamaica Weekly Gleaner, June 1991, p.25.
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery on a Positive Successful Ascent,: Mew York Supplement, November 1 991, p. 23.
Barbara Simpson, "Escoffery - Jamaican Artist, Jamaican Times, May 1992, p. 7.
Barbara Simpson, "Escoffery on Racism, The Daily Gleaner (Jamaica) May 1992, p.
Barbara Simpson, "Artist Escoffery Still on the Ascent, Weekly Gleaner (Jamaica), April 1992,p. 13.
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery Keeps New York Art Scene Buzzing, The Enquirer, March 1992.
Barbara Simpson, "Michael Escoffery - An Introspective and Thinking Artist, Weekly Gleaner, May 1992.
Crescencia Medhurst, "Getting Jamaica To Know His Art, The Sunday Gleaner (Jamaica) September 1991, p. 5c
Crescencia Medhurst, "ARTS STARS Manhattan Arts Magazine, October 1991, p. 39.
Crescencia Medhurst, "Michael Escoffery, An Artist With A Vision, Association of
Black Lawyers Magazines, October 1991, p. 23 (Bermuda)
Crescencia Medhurst, "Jamaican Painter Hailed Across the U.S. The Weekend Enquirer
Donovan Brash, W.N.Y.E. Radio, "Youth in Progress New York City .
Donovan Brash, "New York's Greatest, T.V. Program.
Donovan Brash, "Conversation with EscotTery, J.B.C. TV, Kingston, Jamaica.
George Lamboy, "The Works of Michael Escoffery, Paragon Cable 7EV, March 1991.
Jeff Barnes, "Positive Personalities, WLIB Radio, New York City.
Jeri Maska, "EscotTery's Brush Resonates, Arts Resource Magazine (Seattle, WA) March-April 1991, p. 12
Jeri Maska, "Escoffery at La-Petite Gallerie, Vermont's State Wide Art Papers, November 1991.
Jeri Maska, International Exhibition, The Weekend Enquirer, p. 25.
Jeri Maska, "Michael Escoffery Acclaimed International Artist, Class Magazine, August 1991.
Jim Dykes, "1 3~h Annual Autumn Art Exhibit, Washington Heights Citizen, November
1991, p. 28.
Jim Dykes, "Escoffcry Receives the American Flag, Class Magazine, October 1 991.
Jim Dykes, "Escoffery Exhibits his Drawings, The Jamaican Record, October 1991.
Jim Dykes, "Escoffery Says No To Columbus Tour, Sunday Gleaner (Jamaica), April 1992, p. 17c.
Jim Dykes, "Michael E5coffery Recent Paintings in the U.S.A. Art & Entertainment, March 1992.
Marilyn Becker, "Michael Escoffery at the Hudson Guild, Manhattan Arts Magazine, March 1991, p. 14.
Micki Lazaroff, "Michael Escoffery Interpret-The American Icon. Manhattan Arts Magazine, August 1991, p.4.
T. Booth Harris, "Jamaican Artist Who Follows His Dream, The Weekend Enquirer, August 1991, p. 14.
T. Booth Harris, "Escoffery Returns Home to Jamaica, The Daily Gleaner (Jamaica)
T. Booth Harris, "Abstract Elements, Artist Equity Magazine, Spring 1991, p. 6.