User:Lmarra01/Marion Perkins: he/him, American, 1908-1961

Marion Marche Perkins (1908-1961) was an American sculptor who taught and exhibited at Chicago's South Side Community Art Center and exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago. Perkins was an important artist of the Chicago Renaissance who became a prominent voice in civil rights.

Early life
Marion Perkins was born in Arkansas in 1908 where he lived with his grandparents and parents. He relocated to Chicago at the age of 8. He was, however, raised by his aunt after the sudden death of both of his parents. Perkins attended Wendell Phillips Elementary and High School but did not graduate. His education is best understood to be self-taught. He had only received basic instruction by Simon Gordon from a local YMCA. Simon Gordon also became a well known figure in the world of sculpting.

Personal life
During the depression, Perkins Perkins settled down with Eva Gillion – his new wife – and bought a house in the South Side known then as Bronzeville. He and Eva made great efforts to network and meet the great intellectuals and authors Chicago had to offer. He then had three sons, Robert, Toussaint, and Eugene with his wife Eva. After his untimely death, his wife soon perished but the family made an account of his life.

Philosophy, ideology, and beliefs
Marion became known as an avid outspoken believer in social equality, inclusion, and black expression. His voice as an artist from the South Side resonated with many young black Americans. Perkins said at many occasions that he wanted to inspire young black boys who are put down by society. He also writes about disparities and often compares to what he believes would be a better system: communism. Later in his life, he became known as a firm Marxist who detested the classist actions taken in art and was known to have spoken badly about other artists of the time who focused on art to please wealthy buyers. He was a critique of the abstract movement and wanted to represent art fairly with a socially political understanding of the time.

Major Works
“Mask of Eva” (circa 1935)

“John Henry” (1942)

“Portrait of Eva” (circa 1947)

“Figure at Rest” (circa 1947)

“Seated Figure” (1947)

“Dying Soldier” (1952)

“Unknown Political Prisoner” (1953)

“Sancho Panza and Don Quixote” (circa 1955)

“Skywatchers” series (1948-1955)

"Man of Sorrows" (1950)

"Portrait of Eva" (c. 1947)

"Standing Figure" (late 1940s)

"Nude Model Reclining" (n.d.)

"Father and Child" (n.d.)

"Strathmore" (c. 1945–50)

"Talent ART Tablet" (n.d.)