A look at African American artist Leo Twiggs, who uses rebel flag, rural symbols in artwork
Leo Twiggs, African-American artist who uses Confederate flag, other Southern symbols in artworks.
AGE: 80
HOMETOWN: Born 1934 in St. Stephens, South Carolina, one of six children.
LIVES IN: Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he has his studio.
EDUCATION: Twiggs credits a local preacher for helping him get a scholarship to the private, historically black Claflin University in Orangeburg, graduating in 1956. Studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, in 1960. Graduated in 1964 from New York University with a master’s in art education. In 1970, becomes the first African-American to get a doctorate in art education from the University of Georgia.
ART EDUCATION: Twiggs was the first art instructor at Lincoln High School in Sumter, South Carolina, in 1958. Developed first art education major at the state’s only publicly funded black school, now called South Carolina State University, in 1972. Named distinguished artist in residence at Claflin University in 1999, professor emeritus at S.C. State in 2000.
EXHIBITS: Works exhibited at Cornell University’s Herbert F. Johnson Museum in 1974; three works chosen for U.S. Art in Embassies Program in 1975, work displayed in Rome, Dakar and Togoland. Georgia Museum of Art organizes 2004 travelling exhibit of “The Art of Leo Twiggs” in Southeast. Exhibits currently open in Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Taylors, South Carolina.
