Written by: Katie Dietzel, Public Relations Intern
Photo by Ingrid Damiani
Overstreet Ducasse is a contributing artist for LIFT: Contemporary Expressions of the African American Experience which presents a modern response to Jacksonville’s African American heritage, using the lyrics to James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson’s Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing as inspiration.
Ducasse immigrated from Haiti when he was six years old. He does not identify as a self-taught artist but instead gives credit for his talent to people, experiences, and his observations. Faced with the struggles of an unfamiliar culture and language barriers, he learned to express himself through his artwork.
Overstreet Ducasse, Martin Luther the King, 2015, mixed media, 48 x32 in.
“I want to give thanks to all of the people and experiences who have molded my art,” says Ducasse, “That being said, nothing could have taught me more than music.”
Like James Weldon Johnson, Ducasse’s love for music is his driving force. He explains that his pieces in the LIFT exhibition are all inspired by song lyrics that left an impact on him.
“Each quote is from a specific song of all genres,” says Ducasse, “Each lyric is tweaked slightly to highlight a characteristic for one of the hypocrites depicted in the painting.”
To learn more about Overstreet Ducasse visit his page at the CoRK Art District.
