Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Docuartist DeVon Cunningham--a Detroit Art Treasure--has Left this Vale of Tears Behind

DeVon Cunningham and his loving partner Rose Johnson


Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 21, 1935, DeVon Cunningham began his art training at the tender age of eleven when he won a scholarship to the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. Part of his training was a two-week, all expenses paid seminar to study in Italy.

He continued his art training at the Detroit Center for Creative Studies and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. Cunningham went on to complete a bachelor's degree from the Detroit Institute of Technology and a master's degree from Wayne State University.

While he was working as a community outreach and public relations executive for Detroit Edison, DeVon was painting. Over his long career, DeVon's paintings have appeared in many galleries including eleven one-man shows, and his work hangs in many private and public art collections. His work is digitally archived and indexed in the catalog for the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute.

In 1969, DeVon Cunningham achieved national recognition when he painted the mural of the Black Christ on the dome of St. Cecelia Catholic church at Livernois and Burlingame in Detroit. This work featured a twenty-four-foot, brown-skinned image of Jesus with six multiethnic angels beside him serving high mass. The church's parishioners were mostly African Americans from the neighborhood. The mural was a welcomed addition to this French Romanesque church built in 1930 before the ethnicity of the neighborhood changed.


A national controversy erupted when the mural appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine in March 1969. Twenty-five years later on December 25th, 1994, the mural once again became the topic of controversy when the New York Times featured the church mural on Christmas Day. Reverend Raymond Ellis, rector of St. Cecelia's, responded to the criticism in a Detroit Free Press interview.

"Black parishioners have a legitmate complaint when they walk into a church to worship and everything is white. Christianity forces people to accept Western European culture.

"The historical Christ was Hebrew, a Jew from the Middle East. He might have had dark skin; he might have been fair. But Christ is the head of the church, he is God, and he is any color people want him to be."

Cunningham's commissioned portraits of prominent Detroit community leaders include Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg, a WCHB radio personality active in Detroit's African American community; Coleman Young, the city's first black mayor; Abe Burnstein, Detroit's reputed Purple Gang boss during Prohibition; and many others.

The most mysterious portrait Cunningham has painted is of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. It was unveiled at Gordy's Boston-Edison mansion as a birthday present from his sister Anna Gordy Gaye--the wife of singer Marvin Gaye. Berry was quite moved and lauded the painting of him dressed up like Napoleon. Somewhere along the line, someone suggested that it might not be a compliment to be compared to Napoleon, and the painting disappeared. (More on that story appears in the link at the end of this post.)

Cunningham's portraits gave way to what he calls docuart that informs, instructs, and involves the viewer. His work combines symbolism with cultural iconography that leaves the viewer with a montage of images to ponder. DeVon's art not only appeals to the eye but also to the mind.

DeVon's jazz musician series typifies much of his later work. Historically, Detroit was instrumental in the 1920s through the 1950s for providing African American jazz and blues musicians venues to perform and make a living through their music. To document the historic relationship of Jews and African Americans, Cunningham painted legendary performers like Theolonius Monk, Louie Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis, who performed in Detroit's legendary nightclubs owned by Jewish impresarios who hired Black acts when other venue bookers would not.

Billie Holiday docuart
 
DeVon Cunningham has produced significant art that remains relevant in our changing times. The Spill the Honey foundation commissioned a series of paintings that emphasizes the shared legacy of Jewish people and African Americans seeking historical truth and social justice through educational and artistic programs. The theme of Cunningham's last body of work deals with the environment and the pollinators--both endangered.

Mr. Cunningham passed away at 1:00 am Monday morning, July 31st at the age of eighty-eight after complications from a prolonged illness. Only two weeks before, DeVon and Rose Johnson went to Cafe D'Mongo's in downtown Detroit for his last outing where he enjoyed meeting with some of his fans, my wife Sue and I among them. Amble towards the light, my friend.

Berry Gordy's Lost Portrait
 

17 comments:

  1. What a great piece about an unsung hero! Thanks for continuing to shed light on stories otherwise left untold. Love your writing style.

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  4. I went to Saint Cecilia Church and school with De Vons daughter Lisa they were a beautiful family I believe he had two daughters

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  5. I have a study Devon did of me. One of the most interesting person I’ve ever met.

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  6. RIP Devon. You will truly be missed. A talented artist, kind and gentle soul. Condolences to the family

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  7. I lost a few tears for my friend, but he was worth it.

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  8. On to your next travels brother. Enjoy the ride.

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  9. It’s very disappointing that you write an article about the life of DeVon Cunningham’s life. But you forgot to mention that he was married to his lovely wife Dollie Cunningham for over 60 years and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

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    1. DeVon helped contribute to writing this beautiful article originally written three years ago. Focusing on his professional life. I’m sure there will be many wonderful articles about his family during this difficult time.

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    2. All of that information would be on his obituary.

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  10. Where is the mention of his amazing wife of 60 plus years Dollie Cunningham and his 2 beautiful daughters and granddaughters? It’s truly disrespectful to his legacy. As a Catholic man, his family was the most important part of his life.

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    1. I believe DeVon’s friend, Gregory Fournier, wrote this with him to celebrate his many professional contributions. I highly doubt any disrespect was intended. An article focusing on his personal life and family would be beautiful to see.

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  11. Until we meet again, my friend. The coolest cat I’ll ever know. He enriched my life beyond words and what a talented & worldly yet down to earth man. Such a loss for all who knew DeVon… and even those who only knew of him. His smile, laughter and profound words & artistry will truly be missed. What a fabulous photo of DeVon— it depicts him so. I remember when Rose took it at the Belle Isle Conservatory… just perfect! May you rest in peace, dear friend...

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    1. Please, give Rose (they were both so kind when we met), and the rest of his family, my condolences.

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