‘Breathing Art’ juxtaposes Green, Root JACKSON — The Mississippi Museum of Art is presenting “Breathing Art: The Work of Myra Green and Lynn Green Root” until June 29. This exhibition of more than 100 pieces examines the work of mother and daughter artists who lived and painted in Jackson during the 20th century.
Myra Hamilton Green (1924 – 2002), mother of Lynn Green Root (1954 – 2001), pioneered the use of acrylic paints in the South, participated in the Allison’s Wells Resort and the Mississippi Art Association, and taught at both Belhaven and Millsaps colleges.
Green favored a traditional approach in her art, concentrating largely on portraiture and landscape.
Root’s art was of a strong expressionist bent, her paintings characterized by bold color, exuberant brushwork, and a strong linear quality. Regardless of the subject she chose, from portraiture to still life, Root allowed emotion to guide her hand. Her art has been described variously as neo-expressionist and magic realism.
Breathing Art includes artwork from a number of private collections in Jackson and Natchez, New Orleans, La., as well as a small selection from public institutions, including the Mississippi Museum of Art’s permanent collection.
According to curator of exhibitions Robin Dietrick, “This exhibition not only presents Myra Green’s and Lynn Green Root’s art to a new audience, but also offers a chance for museum-goers familiar with Myra’s and Lynn’s artwork to reacquaint themselves with the work and maybe develop a deeper appreciation for each of the artists and their distinct styles.”
The exhibition is presented in three sections: the first featuring work by Myra Green, the second with work by Lynn Green Root, and the third with portraits by both artists. “Each artist has her own area of the exhibition that provides a great cross-section of work representing various stages of her career, while both come together in the portrait gallery, providing likenesses of recognizable Jacksonians from the last several decades.
So much of this art is from private collections – it’s a wonderful chance for the public to see art that is not usually so accessible, and certainly not all at the same time,” said Dietrick.
The museum is located at 380 South Lamar Street in downtown Jackson. Hours are Tuesday– Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors (60+), $3 students (6 – college), free for children five and under and museum members. Students are admitted free on Trustmark Free Tuesdays and Blue Cross Free Thursdays. Senior adults (60+) are admitted free on BancorpSouth Senior Salute Wednesdays (the first Wednesday of each month). For information, call 601-960-1515 or visit www.msmuseumart.org.
The museum and its programs are sponsored by the City of Jackson, the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Lynn Green Root converted to Catholicism and painted several pieces of art for the Diocese of Jackson. She also designed two posters for Mississippi Catholic’s art competition “Fresh Inspiration: Catholic Art 2000.”)
