Alonzo Davis ('71, MFA Fine Arts '73) creates mixed media sculpture that is deeply
informed by African traditions of craft, color, and pattern. His woven paintings,
collages, and prints often incorporate paint, leather, bamboo, copper, rawhide, and
other materials. As a teacher and administrator, he served as the Dean of the Memphis
College of Art (1993-2002) and Dean of the San Antonio Art Institute (1991-1992).
His work has been shown at Georgia Southern University, Perry Nicole Fine Art, Memphis
College of Art, Louisiana Tech University, California State University, and he has
created public art commissions for the Philadelphia International Airport, Nashville
International Airport, Memphis Public Library, Hartsfield International Airport, Revere
Beach Subway in Boston, and the Harbor Freeway in Los Angeles.
"My art choices and world view are influenced by travel. Through travel, I seek influences,
cultural centers, energies, new terrain and the power of both the spoken and unspoken.
The magic of the American Southwest, Brazil, Haiti, and West Africa penetrates much
of my work. Southern California, home for thirty years, has also had an indelible
impact and the colors and rhythms of the Pacific Rim continue to infiltrate."
