"James Dupree "  - Featured Artist
 

 
           
   

A recognizable theme supported by the artist's definition of his work, is at times decidedly abstract. "Forbidden Fruit, Stolen Dreams" is the essence of many of his pieces. Dupree's work illustrates (a piece of) Langston Hughes' poem, A Dream Deferred. "I think racism is the last great issue to deal with in America as an artist. Racism is subliminal. How does something that affects me and doesn't effect you be illustrated?"

Commissioned by the Philadelphia mural arts program to interpret poetess' Sonya Sanchez's "Poem For Tupac," Dupree's first effort met with resistance. Discussions with the poet, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Project and Mr. Dupree, resulted in a reworking of the piece. Both versions, the original and the altered are depicted here. Although it appears that the conflict was resolved amicably, the issue of censorship surfaced.

   
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