Fine Art & Antiques Auction Ending 11/1

#637 – Original Florida "Highwayman" oil painting on board by Florida Hall of Fame artist Rodney Demps, the painting show's Eddie's Place, the notorious bar and "Highwayman" hangout, where Alfred Hair was shot to death (1970) in an argument over a woman's favors. The group of African-American artists who were later named "Highwaymen" because they sold their paintings along South Florida highways in the Jim Crow 1950's and 1960's, originated mainly in Fort Pierce and surrounding segregated communities. As a teenager, the innately talents Hair (born 1941) was mentored by AE Backus, the leading white Florida landscape painted whose studio was in Fort Pierce. As Hair began to paint independently and sell his work, other talented young African-American men (and one woman) began to follow his lead, giving rise to the "Highwayman" group. Demps, born in 1953, demonstrated artistic talent as early as the fifth grade. He began working with Hair when he was 13, often painting background skies in Hair's landscapes. After graduating from High School, Demps worked in the studio of Sam Newton, an early leader in the "Highwayman" group. Demps is sometimes referred to as an "impressionist" painter because of the style of his landscapes. Hair had a seminal influence on the development of the "Highwayman" group of African-American artists and after his death Eddie's Place became a shrine to his memory. The painting depicts Eddie's Place as the artist remembers it at the time of Hair's death with a blooming red Royal Ponciana tree in the background. The building still stands on Avenue D in Fort Pierce where it is identified with a Florida state historic marker that tells the story of Alfred Hair and the "Highwayman" group. Framed oil painting on Masonite signed "RDemps" with his characteristic signature. 20" x 25" with frame.

Original Florida "Highwayman" oil painting on board by Florida Hall of Fame artist Rodney Demps, the painting show's Eddie's Place, the notorious bar and "Highwayman" hangout, where Alfred Hair was shot to death (1970) in an argument over a woman's favors. The group of African-American artists who were later named "Highwaymen" because they sold their paintings along South Florida highways in the Jim Crow 1950's and 1960's, originated mainly in Fort Pierce and surrounding segregated communities. As a teenager, the innately talents Hair (born 1941) was mentored by AE Backus, the leading white Florida landscape painted whose studio was in Fort Pierce. As Hair began to paint independently and sell his work, other talented young African-American men (and one woman) began to follow his lead, giving rise to the "Highwayman" group. Demps, born in 1953, demonstrated artistic talent as early as the fifth grade. He began working with Hair when he was 13, often painting background skies in Hair's landscapes. After graduating from High School, Demps worked in the studio of Sam Newton, an early leader in the "Highwayman" group. Demps is sometimes referred to as an "impressionist" painter because of the style of his landscapes. Hair had a seminal influence on the development of the "Highwayman" group of African-American artists and after his death Eddie's Place became a shrine to his memory. The painting depicts Eddie's Place as the artist remembers it at the time of Hair's death with a blooming red Royal Ponciana tree in the background. The building still stands on Avenue D in Fort Pierce where it is identified with a Florida state historic marker that tells the story of Alfred Hair and the "Highwayman" group. Framed oil painting on Masonite signed "RDemps" with his characteristic signature. 20" x 25" with frame.

Track this Item