A self-taught artist, 93-year-old Ed Welch started out picking peanuts and cotton in North Carolina, but in time he learned how to read, studied graphic arts, and became a sign painter. Upon retirement, he began combining an interest in African American history with his sign-making abilities to fashion do-it-yourself, collaged, poster-like artworks that construct fascinating biographic portrayals of important political figures, musicians, sports heroes, and events from the past century.
Working in obscurity until a few years ago, Welch’s portraits of Ray Charles, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, W.E.B. DuBois, and other African American champions are painted on found cardboard and wood and hand-lettered with enamel and shiny contact paper. Stickers and typewritten texts sometimes get thrown into the mix and he often just signs the work with one of mailing labels. A true original, Welch is considered an important new find by folk art aficionados.
The first New York showing of Ed Welch’s work is on view at Ricco/Maresca Gallery through October 9.
Click through below for a gallery of images.
Ed Welch, Ray Charles, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 22 x 28 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Tina Turner, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 21 x 27.5 inches. Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Jack Johnson, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 23 x 33 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Jessie M. Rattley, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 24 x 35.5 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, W.E.B. DuBois, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 23 x 36 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Father Divine, n.d. (1990 -2010), Mixed media on board, 24 x 36 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Lionel Hampton, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 24 x 36 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, A. Philip Randolph, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 23.5 x 35.5 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Joe Louis, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 24 x 30.25 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Paul Robeson, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 26 x 37 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Walter White, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 23 x 36 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery
Ed Welch, Jackie Robinson, n.d. (1990 – 2010), Mixed media on board, 24 x 23 inches, Photo: Michael Korol, Courtesy Ricco/Maresca Gallery