Rethinking Regionalism: John Steuart Curry and the Kansas Mural Controversy

by M. Sue Kendall

Curry has not received as much attention as his fellow regionalist painters Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood. Fortunately that situation has been largely corrected by this sparkling study. Kendall uses the controversy over the creation of Curry's murals for the Kansas capital as the fulcrum on which to rest a much broader reexamination of the artist. Kendall is at her best telling of the political, social, and religious underpinnings of Curry's regionalism. Yet his art never gets lost in the discussion of the context. Most troublesome to purist historians will be Kendall's occasional speculation beyond absolute certainty of evidence. Nonetheless, such risks make for a creative study, particularly when the author demonstrates mastery of the subject. Recommended for a wide audience. Charles K. Piehl, Director of Grants Management, Mankato State Univ., Minn.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[Kweli]

After reading this book I got to thinking about the WPA and Regionalism. How much of an impact art has had in shaping out progressive society. We don't question the role of art in society enough. I certainly had my eyes opened to Curry's work and the work of other in exposing crimes against African Americans during slavery, post slavery, Jim crow and the aftermath.

[Aaron Barnhart]

Easily the best source, not just on the Kansas controversy, but on Curry's relationship to Kansas and the meaning of his art.