The Goodwyn Gallery, located inside the Benjamin L. Hooks Library, is hosting a month long art exhibit of former Memphis resident and artist, Roy Hawkins Jr. The exhibit titled “Vision from Heaven: Paintings from The Revelation of Jesus Christ” gives visual context to several scriptures from the last book of the Bible.

“I first saw the exhibit in Brownsville, Tenn., at the Delta Heritage Center,” says Library Public Services Manager Stacey Smith. “I was captivated by Hawkins’ depiction of man’s spiritual journey with three-dimensional artwork.”

Hawkins created the series, which currently consists of eleven paintings, over several years. He plans to continue to add to it as “God leads him to.” Each painting was created using acrylic paint or various other mediums and they have a three-dimensional (3-D) component which binds the series together cohesively.

“Each piece was astonishingly beautiful,” adds Smith. “Hawkins covers his surfaces with bold, shimmering color that are adorned with an appropriate biblical verse. The self-portrait presents a mosaic image from afar that draws you closer to discover the true likeness of the artist. The exhibit is definitely worth taking some time to check out.”
Hawkins is a University of Memphis alumni with a Fine Arts degree and masters degree in Art Education. He cites “God’s wisdom and creative inspiration” as his motivation for creating the series.

The 38-year-old is also a published model and actor; having worked on several shows including Nashville, Have and Have Nots, Mockingjay and CMT’s Million Dollar Quartet currently being filmed in Memphis. He participated in his first international exhibition “A Nod is as Good as a Wink” while studying art and photography at FUA in Florence, Italy, in 2013. Hawkins currently teaches art for Haywood County Schools in his hometown of Brownsville.

“Vision from Heaven: Paintings from The Revelation of Jesus Christ” will open on Monday, June 6 through June 28 and is free to the public. It can be viewed daily Monday- Thursday, 10-8; Friday-Saturday, 10- 5; and Sunday, 1- 5. The library will hold “Meet the Artist” sessions from 2 pm to 4 pm on Thursdays, June 16 and June 23. Hawkins will be present and available to discuss his work. For information about the exhibit, call the library at (901) 415-2749, or visit facebook.com/visionfromheaven.

The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library is the largest facility in the Memphis Public Library and Information Center system. It was opened to the public in November 2001. In 2007 Memphis Public was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for “extraordinary programs and involvement with the community.” As the IMLS National medal suggests, the library has a strong commitment to information delivery, community outreach and an innovative approach to library science.

CAPTION: “The Angel from Heaven” is inspired by Revelation 20:1, and is ninth in the series of 11 paintings that make up the “Vision from Heaven” exhibition on display now at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library in Memphis. The series of three-dimensional art, by Artist Roy Hawkins, will be displayed through June 28. Hawkins will be on hand to discuss his work on Thursdays, June 16 and 23, from 2-4 p.m.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hawkins headshot courtesy of Greg Lopez.