George Dureau facts for kids

George Valentine Dureau (born December 28, 1930 – died April 7, 2014) was an American artist. He was known for his charcoal sketches and black and white photographs. His art often featured athletes, people with dwarfism, and amputees. Another famous artist, Robert Mapplethorpe, was inspired by Dureau's unique photographs.

About George Dureau

George Dureau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a nearby area called Bayou St. John. He loved art and earned a degree in fine arts from LSU in 1952. After that, he studied architecture at Tulane University.

Early Career and Life

Before becoming a full-time artist, George Dureau worked as a display designer for a department store. He also served briefly in the U.S. Army. For most of his life, he lived in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. He was known for being a bit quirky and very welcoming to his friends. His friend and student, Robert Mapplethorpe, even recreated some of Dureau's early black and white photos. George Dureau passed away from Alzheimer's disease.

Famous Artworks and Exhibitions

Many of George Dureau's artworks are kept in museums. You can find some of his pieces at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. He also has several public art displays around New Orleans.

Public Art in New Orleans

One of his most notable works is a large sculpture on the front of Harrah's New Orleans casino. He also created cast-bronze sculptures that stand at the entrance gates of New Orleans City Park. Another impressive piece is a large painting of a Mardi Gras parade. This painting covers an entire wall inside Gallier Hall.

Art Exhibitions

Dureau's work has been shown in many art galleries. An exhibition called "Black 1973–1986" featured his black and white photographs. This show was held at the Higher Pictures gallery in New York City and received excellent reviews from art critics.

Selected publications