A New Exhibit Visualizes the Influence of Music on the Art of Normal Lewis

The Michael Rosenfeld Gallery in New York City is currently presenting "Jumping Jive," a distinctive exhibition that highlights the profound relationship between jazz music and the abstract expressionist work of Norman Lewis. Born and raised in Harlem, Lewis's paintings vividly capture the complexities of Black urban life through a dynamic, rhythmic visual language deeply inspired by jazz.

This latest solo survey marks the seventh show dedicated to Lewis at the gallery, reflecting a sustained commitment to his artistic legacy. Over the past decade, the gallery has expanded its engagement with Lewis's oeuvre by representing his estate, which has facilitated access to invaluable archival materials including the artist’s personal sketchbooks and an extensive vinyl record collection.

A centerpiece of the exhibition is the integration of Lewis’s own record collection, comprising nearly 500 albums spanning genres such as bebop, blues, funk, disco, and reggae. Carefully preserved and catalogued by the gallery’s archivists, the collection offers unique insights into Lewis’s musical influences and personal taste, providing a sonic context to his visual art.

In an innovative move that blends auditory and visual experiences, the gallery has collaborated with StarRock Productions and DJ Adrian to curate a live soundtrack drawn exclusively from Lewis’s records. The DJ performs live sets on weekends, while recorded playlists derived from these sessions are streamed throughout the week on Spotify, allowing visitors to engage with the music even when the DJ is not present.

The exhibit’s design includes a dedicated DJ area featuring about 60 album covers from Lewis’s collection, which are rotated regularly to keep the display fresh and interactive. This immersive approach invites visitors to experience Lewis’s paintings alongside the music that inspired them, fostering a deeper appreciation of the cultural and emotional layers in his work.

Gallery director Halley K. Harrisburg emphasized the significance of integrating music into the exhibition, noting that many of Lewis's paintings are titled with direct references to songs, musicians, and musical techniques. The improvisational spirit of jazz parallels Lewis’s abstract brushwork and compositional choices, underscoring the interplay between different artistic forms.

Lewis was also a self-taught pianist, and music was an integral part of his creative process. This multidimensional portrayal is further enhanced by the presence of his daughter, who attended the exhibition recently and acknowledged her role in preserving her father’s legacy through the stewardship of his record collection.

The exhibit runs through November 14 at Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, located at 100 Eleventh Avenue. It not only celebrates Lewis’s artistic achievements but also exemplifies how contemporary galleries are evolving to offer multisensory experiences that engage audiences beyond traditional viewing formats.

Amid a challenging economic environment for the arts, Rosenfeld Gallery continues to thrive by focusing on American art spanning the early to mid-20th century, a niche with growing market interest. Lewis’s stature in major institutions and the fresh perspectives offered by this exhibition contribute to ongoing recognition and demand for his work.

"Jumping Jive" serves as a compelling example of how the fusion of music and visual art can enrich public understanding and appreciation of an artist's full creative world, offering a model for future interdisciplinary presentations in the art community.