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S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5 1 1 3 PersPective fromlefttheColleCtionofCamilleo.andWilliamh.CosbyJr.PhotograPhbyfranksteWartsmithsonianameriCanartmuseum Sticking To The ArtWhile the world hunts David Driskell for his opinions about the Cosby collection on exhibit at the Smithsonian he drops a hint with us in Maine. From staFF wire rePorts W e should remember that the real man behind this collec- tion is David Driskell writes the Washington Post about the Smithson- ian Institutions exhibit that is sparking so much controversy Conversations African and American Artworks in Dialogue. This is the very David C. Driskell co-cu- rator of the Smithsonian show and for dec- ades the scholar and art consultant who has brought the Camille and William Cosby col- lection to an elite sphere that so many Main- ers revere as a likable Falmouth resident world-class painter and curatorial expert on world painting. Driskell has been friends with Bill and Camille Cosby since Cosby called him in 1976 see our interview The Prime of David Driskell Sept. 2001. No doubt uncomfortable with the controversy Driskell has remained eloquently si- lent. Consider Artnet News We also reached out to David Driskell the co- curator of the show who is also a long- time friend and advisor to Cosby as well as to Cosbys attorney Marty Sing- er for comment about whether the ac- cusations have impacted the museum show. Neither responded. If you were in Driskells position would you respond As an index to the controversy about Bill Cosby as he re- lates to art Artnet reports In a Novem- ber 15 radio interview conducted at the Smithsonian that took the term awk- ward silence to an entirely new level NPR reporter Scott Simon talked with Bill and Camille Cosby in detail about the 62 artworks they loaned to the show. At the end of the four-minute seg- ment viewers were treated to roughly 30 seconds of dead air when Simon asked Cosby to comment on the allegations as Cosby shook his head no and wagged his finger at Simon This dead air time was according to the Washington Post perhaps the most significant dead air in the history of National Public Radio. Then theres Public split over Cos- bys art at the Smithsonian by Brett Zong- ker of the Associated Press which appeared in the Post. Here once again Driskells name comes up most respectfully with a quote from him tantalizingly absent. Kudos to our Flash editor Diane Hudson who had the moxie to ask Driskell what the situation was when she covered his art opening at a Portland gallery. Here is Driskell thoughtful and it must be as- sumed hurt As a curator hired by the Smithsonian in connection with this exhibit I have been asked not to speak publicly about the con- troversy until my contract ends on January 16. You have not seen any comments from me about the exhibit as all the interviewers want to talk to me about Bill Cosby. I have no information about that and cannot speak to it. I can however speak about the art and tell you that the art speaks for itself. This work by major American artists including Beaufort Delaney Jacob Lawrence Eliza- beth Catlett Romare Berden Faith Ring- gold Driskell himself Alma Thomas and Henry Ossawa Tanner has never before been seen in public and may never be pro- vided that opportunity again. An extension of the American canon the exhibit provides an invaluable educational opportunity that should not be lost The Smithsonian re- ports attendance has more than doubled since the opening of this exhibit and I do not think that is be- cause of the contro- versy surrounding it. Theshowgoeson.n Still Life Souvenir No. IV oil on canvas 1916 by Eldzier Cortor from the collection of Camille and William Cosby is presently on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. At right painter and curator David Driskell.