Lucas: Unlikely pairing makes for a dynamic artistic duo
A new exhibit opening at the Coastal Discovery Center at Honey Horn this week promises to be both culturally insightful as well as aesthetically appealing.
"Stories from the Lowcountry - Gullah Geechee Life" featuring the work of Judy Mooney and Amiri Farris strives to depict the rich, colorful heritage of the Gullah and Geechee people through scuplture and painting.
But one of the more interesting aspects of the exhibit could very well be the story of the artists behind the show.
In some ways, Mooney and Farris, who have collaborated on a number of other occasions, couldn't be more different.
Mooney is a 74-year-old Caucasian woman while Farris is a 40-year-old African-American man.
As a painter, he works in the two-dimensional. As a sculptor, she works in the three-dimensional.
He is more free-spirited; she analytical.
"I think she's very free spirited, too," says Farris laughing. "She might be more analytical though ...which could be why we get along so well."
Asked about their age, gender or race differences, Farris, who lives in Bluffton and teaches at the Savannah College of Art and Design, shrugs that off as well.
"I'm one of those people who doesn't really see the age difference, or the race difference or ...male or female," he says. "I'm ...a person who just gets along with everyone."
Mooney, who lives and works in Savannah, also downplays the unlikely collaboration.
"We always just hit it off," she said.
The two met at the Penn Center in 2004, when they were both awarded the center's "Emerging Artist" award -- given to them by the acclaimed Lowcountry painter Jonathan Green.
Both realized very quickly they had similar interests in art and Lowcountry culture and began to see how well Mooney's sculptures paired with Farris' paintings and vice versa.
And while each works independently of the other in their own studios, they somehow figured out which works might pair well with others for the maximum 'wow' factor.
"We've always been able to put a good show together because our work is so similar," Mooney says.
In the upcoming show, Mooney and Farris were able to tell the story of an entire culture through the individual depictions of the Gullah and Geechee people who lived it -- from the oyster pickers to the ring shouters to the seafood sellers.
And with great collaborations come great payoffs.
The two say working with each other has helped them both to grow as artists.
Farris says teaming up with Mooney has given him a new perspective on another style and medium while Mooney says being around Farris' work has helped her to become much more free in her own.
"I think he's much more free-spirited and you can see it in his paintings," Mooney says. "It's something I aspire to be."
Whatever the case, it's a match that's working.
If You Go
"Stories from the Lowcountry - Gullah Geechee Life" opens Jan. 21. An opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 22 and a closing reception is from 5 to 7 pm. Feb. 26.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
The Museum is at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.
The exhibit runs through Feb. 28.
In addition, artist workshops with Amiri Farris are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 29 and Feb. 12 at $25 per person.
Reservations are required. To schedule call 843-689-6767 ext. 223.
For details visit www.coastaldiscovery.org.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
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This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Lucas: Unlikely pairing makes for a dynamic artistic duo."