Melvin Van Peebles at Strivers Gardens Gallery in NYC

On Sunday October 6, 2013 from 3-4 pm, Melvin Van Peebles was available for an intimate conversation as part of the exhibition, eMerge 2.0: Melvin Van Peebles & Artists on the Cusp.

During the talk, Van Peebles was discussed his legendary career, visual art debut and his private art collection including paintings by George Helton. He also treated the audience to his love of verse as well.

With the visual art debut of pioneering director, novelist, journalist, playwright, actor, rapper and musician Melvin Van Peebles as its centerpiece, the showcase series, now in its second year, will feature Peebles’ “Ex-Voto Monochrome (A Ghetto Mother’s Prayer),” – mixed media meditation exploring the intersection between violence, economic disenfranchisement, womanhood and faith – and also boast noteworthy pieces from Van Peebles’ private collection, including two rarely-seen paintings by George Helton, deceased husband of Isabel Taylor.

Helton, designer of Van Peebles’ museum-like Manhattan apartment, which is home to the paintings, illustrations, and sculptures he’s completed over the years.

eMerge celebrates the future of contemporary art with some of today’s most exciting and evolving visual artists. Dynamic creations from 11 early-career artmakers, produced by re-imagining such everyday objects as thumbtacks, clothing buttons and vinyl records, will display alongside the items from the revered “master of artistic reinvention.”

This event was co-curated by Souleo of Souleo Universe & Lisa D. Hayes, ESQ.