Richard Gordon Kendall facts for kids
Richard Gordon Kendall (born November 17, 1933, in Paris, Texas – died January 30, 2008, in Paris, Texas) was an American artist. He taught himself how to create art. People began to notice his work around 1995. He is known as an outsider artist or a folk artist. This means he made art outside of the usual art world.
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About Richard Gordon Kendall
A man named Jay Wehnert found Kendall's art around 1995. Wehnert collects and studies outsider art. He became a big supporter of Kendall's work. Kendall's art showed amazing skill, especially because he lived in makeshift shelters in Houston from about 1995 to 1998. Wehnert wanted Kendall to get famous for his art. However, Kendall did not seek fame. Wehnert lost touch with Kendall in 1998. Kendall passed away in 2008. Even in 2019, Kendall's art was shown in galleries in New York.
When Wehnert first met Kendall, they started writing letters to each other. Kendall told Wehnert that he drew buildings in Houston. He said it helped him stay "sharp."
Growing Up
Richard Gordon Kendall was born on November 17, 1933. His parents were Lenious Kendall and Myrl Reynolds. His first birth certificate had his name as Charles Gordon Kendall. But his mother changed it to Richard Gordon Kendall in 1944.
Kendall finished high school in 1954. He went to Gibbons High School in Paris, Texas. This school was only for African Americans at the time. It closed down in 1966. Kendall was on the basketball team in 1953–1954. His team won the state championship. In the 1990s, Kendall lived on Ash Street in Paris, Texas.
Art Shows and Exhibitions
Richard Gordon Kendall's art has been shown in several places. Here are some of his exhibitions:
- Richard Gordon Kendall and Frank Jones: Haunts – Dutton Gallery, Lower East Side, New York. This show ran from September 25 to October 8, 2015.
- Self Taught: Margins Beyond – Kirk Hopper Fine Art, Dallas, Texas. This show featured artists like Frank Jones and Richard Gordon Kendall. It was from January 14 to February 11, 2017.
- Lone Stars: A celebration of Texas Culture – Webb Gallery, Waxahachie, Texas. This exhibition was from May 6 to August 26, 2018.
- The Outsider Art Fair, New York. From January 17–20, 2019, the Dutton Gallery showed drawings by Richard Gordon Kendall and Frank Jones.
Known Artworks
Here are some of the artworks by Richard Gordon Kendall that we know about:
- Bank of American Building at Christmas, made around 1995. This drawing shows the Bank of America Center in Houston.
- Church, made around 1995.
- Untitled, Building with Clock, made around 1995.
Kendall's Family
Richard had a brother named Lindsey Kendell. Lindsey was born in 1926 and died in 1952. He was a soldier in the 8th Army. He served in the Korean War in South Korea. He died during the war from causes not related to fighting.
See also
- Portrait of Richard Gordon Kendall, by Mary Lawton
