Preston Jackson: Sculptor, Painter, Musician, Teacher, and above all A Wonderful Person [Part - II]

Few days back, I drove to Peoria, to see Preston Jackson's latest work, his Whale sculpture on the theme of "Save Our Planet"... I have met Preston Jackson a few times, and every time I have wondered what his main interest would be, sculpture, painting or music? And, every single time I have concluded, that all three art forms, play a dominant role in understanding and defining Preston. And if I could add in the same breath, every single time I have met him, he has asked me to write about more female sculptors..



Although Preston frequently comes to Chicago, as he is the Professor Emeritus at School of the Art Institute of Chicago [SAIC], [teaches Figurative Sculpture], but Peoria is his base town. Peoria has many outdoor sculptural installations by Preston, and he drove me around the town for a sculpture tour..



Knockin' On Freedom's Door..
by Preston Jackson..
Dedicated October 24, 2008..
On the site of the home of Moses and Lucy Pettengill.
# For more, click here..



Flight of the Cakewalkers..
By Preston Jackson..
Location: Liberty Park, Peoria [along the Illinois River]..

# For more, click here..



Outside History..
by Preston Jackson..
Location: Riverplex, Peoria [along the Illinois River]..

# For more, click here..



Stainless Steel Metaphors..
By Preston Jackson..
1992 / Stainless Steel..
Location: Along the Illinois River just north of the Murray Baker Bridge..
# For more, click here..





Preston Jackson is co-founder of the Contemporary Art Center. About 20 resident artists are constantly creating art on-site here..


One of the artists at the Contemporary Art Center..


Preston Jackson Gallery..
Dedicated on July 7, 2005..
CAC Founder Preston Jackson..
The plaque reads...
In honor of it's Tenth Anniversary, the Contemporary Art Center has named this gallery, "the Preston Jackson Gallery", after the CAC's founder, artists and musician Preston Jackson. The Contemporary Art Center stands as a living tribute to Preston's vision, which served as the blueprint for the CAC's creation, and his passion, which continued to give that vision life...

Few interesting facts about Preston:
- You will frequently find Raven in his work, which he calls his spirit..
- He always wears a locket which stands for "Long Life"..
- He has been a long time practitioner of Marshall Arts..
- Although his works have dominant African-American themes, he is very influenced by Oriental culture, and frequently talks about India, maybe because he is talking to me..
- He is very much at ease with the younger generation, understands their mannerism, fashion, style and easily directs them to their art..


Raven frequently feature in his art..


Preston working on "Cakewalkers"... at SAIC.. with students Jason Hawk and Eric Gushee..


Preston's paintings are extremely detailed and every corner is filled with symbolism, metaphors and emblems, which I am afraid very few pay attention to..


Preston is a music man. He is constantly singing while working..

Related Links..
# Preston Jackson: Sculptor, Painter, Guitarist, Teacher, and above all A Wonderful Person [Part - I] ..
# Preston Jackson: Artist at work..
# Fun time with Preston Jackson...
# Irv Krupcinet Memorial - by Preston Jackson..
# Knockin' On Freedom's Door - by Preston Jackson..
# Stainless Steel Metaphors - by Preston Jackson..
# Outside History - by Preston Jackson..
# Flight of cakewalkers - by Preston Jackson..
# Preston's students at SAIC..