African-American / Environmental Art - Charles Yates 'A Book of Illuminations' [Memphis?:] 1978

Charles Everett YATES, jr (1940-2003)

A Book of Illuminations "Within the Sky Door of America Series” a series of gouaches. [Memphis?: 1978].

Title page, sheet with viewing aperture, 18 compositions on 18 leaves, endpiece. All original artworks employing mixed media techniques: pencil, pen, ink, wash, and collage, most signed, most images incorporating manuscript text by Yates, mystical at best or at least allusiory. The 18 compositions within plastic sleeves (14 x 11 1/2in; 356 x 293mm), in a ring-binder, the title and endpiece mounted to the inner covers of the binder (the endpaper has become detached and is currently loosely inserted), the sheet with the viewing aperture is loosely inserted (as required). The binder is covered in black grained cloth (short split to lower cover).

A masterpiece – see images. "This Series ... is a gesture to Hope, the Peace and lastly Joy of the Attitudes in the Universe." (Yates). 

Everett Charles Yates was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1940 and died in Memphis, Tennessee in 2003.

The only other substantial work by Charles E. Yates listed as having sold recently is his ‘Book of Darkness and Flowers’ (1979): a series of 22 leaves with mixed media artwork, it was auctioned by ‘Material Culture’ of Philadelphia in 2019 for $2159.

Everett Charles Yates is included in the publication: Visions of My People: African-American Art In Tennessee, Essay by Gregory Ridley, Jr,  Edited by Lisa Transley Hester; From an Exhibition organized by the Tennessee State Museum. (1997).