User:AYen3013/Robert Earl Paige

Robert Earl Paige (b. November, 27th, 1937), often written as Robert E. Paige, is a multi-disciplnary artist working as textile designer, educator and interior designer. Paige is mainly based in Chicago, Illinois, but he had also professionally ventured to Milan, Italy and West Africa. He thinks of his own practice as a Gesamtkunstwerk – total art. He is also an ally of the Black Arts Movement and AfriCobra.

Early Years
Paige was born in Woodlawn, Chicago in 1937. Paige began working with the architectural design firm, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, from 1955 – 1956. While working at the architectural firm, Paige was accepted into the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There, he studied interior design and textile under a four year program. His early influences include famous Chicago architect Frank Lloyde Wright, painters Gertrude Abecrombie and Alma Thomas.

In 1962, Paige recieved his BFA degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he graduated from the interior design program. At the same year, he was also exhibited in the Young Americans show at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts (the Museum of Art and Design, today) in NewYork.

Career
In 1964, Paige left the United States and ventured to Milan, Italy, in order to escape the corporate racism happening in America. There he was commissioned to design silk fabrics for scarves and other garments for a famous textile company. The 1960’s in America was also when Black aesthetic rose alongside the Black Arts Movement. In Chicago, the South Side was where this uprising creativity flourishes. In 1968, the AfriCobra collective (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) was founded in Chicago. Paige was one of the artist who participated in the collective since the very beginning. These artists turn artistic expression as a mean to celebrate Afircan American history and aesthetic, challenging the long-held eurocentric views of arts.

In 1970's, Paige started working for Fabrics company, Sears Roebuck & Co., and worked on "The Dakkabar Collection" fabrics, which was an available collection in Sear stores for two years .Prior to the release of the collection, he traveled to the west coast of Africa invited by Sears Roebuck & Company, as they where looking for African inspirations. The famous "The Dakkabar Collection" is inspired by abstract symbolisms and colors of West African Visual Art, and was designed to connect with the Black costumers in the United States.

On September 16, 2022, Paige opended his first New York Solo Show "Power to the People" at the Salon 94 Design. The exhibition was curated by the Nigerian-born British fashion designer Duro Olowu.

Paige is Currently an Resident artist in the Hyde Park Art Center, and has a upcoming exhibition at the center in 2024.

Art
Paige has spent his career manifesting Gesamtkunstwerk into his own art practice, design and, ultimately, his lifestyle. Gesamtkunstwerk, also known as a ‘total work of art’, is a creative process where all forms of art are combined to create a cohesive piece. Paige utilized beauty as a mean to overcome slavery and segregation and paves a way to freedom. Therefore, he claims that art is inherently political. Color and fluidity is the hallmark of Paige's design. He is inspired by concept of Geometirc to evoke equality. He is also inspired by the nature for his vibrant and vivid color choices. He states: "God created nature to make you aware of beauty". Paige believes that beauty is a public service, and it should be open to anyone. Paige stated that the experience to beauty should be accessible to all people equally, not just for the museums or downtown.

Exhibitions
2022 (June 30–September 30)– "Lemme Know When You Make It", Solo Exhibition, Hyde Park Art Center.

2022 – "Power to the People", Salon 94 Design. New York, NY. Curated by Duro Oluwu.

2018 – "African American Designers in Chicago: Art, Commerce, and the Politics of Race" Exhibition, Chicago Cultural Center. Chicago, IL.

2009 – The Parish Gallery in Georgetown. Washington, D.C.

1995 – Cin4ue Gallery in New York, NY.

1992 – "Black Print Makers" South Side Community. Chicago, IL.

1980 – Fabricatiions & Design "The Art of Muppets" Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.

1976 – Oakland Museum. Oakland, CA.

1976 – St. Louis Art Museum. St. Louis, MO.

1976 – "The Black Solidarity" Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Pittsburgh, PA.

1962 – Young American US Museum of Contemporary Crafts. New York, NY.