2022 Greatriarchs

This month, we are excited to formally introduce the newest members of our ever-expanding Greatriarch program. The program, established in 2018, was conceived to promote the histories of long-term Martindale-Brightwood neighbors. We affectionately refer to these select individuals as Greatriarchs. These are the neighbors you’ll find lending a helping hand where needed; the neighbors waving at you enthusiastically from their front porches; and the neighbors always available to chat about life. Each of their legacies has contributed significantly to the Indianapolis communities they inhabit, and we are grateful to add even more names to this extraordinary list. 

The newest members of the Greatriarch program include Bill Rasdell, Carol Evans, Charles Tony Knight, Duane Jiles, Eunice Trotter, and Mattie Kates. In the past, each Greatriarch has been immortalized with an artist-designed portrait, and this round is no different. Please join us in the City Gallery during the month of February to recognize these individuals’ past, present, and future work through the display of their portraits, rendered by artist Abi Ogle.

Abi Ogle, Portrait of Mattie Kates, acrylic on paper

Former resident artist Abi Ogle has created many of the Greatriarch portraits. A few common themes have persisted throughout her portrayal of the sitters: the Greatriarchs are always depicted in various shades of purple (traditionally representing royalty), and they are always featured amongst visual themes inspired by African American art history. In Ogle’s portrait of Mattie Kates, we see these themes visualized. The cool tones that make up Kates’ being contrast excitingly with the warm-toned patchwork of the backdrop. The background is an ode to Charles Robert Searles’ In Front of the Store, and Kates’ reputation as an incredible seamstress. 

Abi Ogle, Portrait of Bill Rasdell, acrylic on paper

Many of you reading this are likely already acquainted with Bill Rasdell’s work in the community. Rasdell is a former Harrison Center resident artist who recently exhibited Holding It Down: Sisters in the African Diaspora in Speck Gallery. He is an incredible photographer who strives to capture moments of deep humanity through his artistic lens, making him an excellent addition to the Greatriarch cohort. In his portrait, Ogle takes inspiration from the work of prolific American photographer Gordon Parks. The background of Rasdell’s portrait is noticeably grayscale – a reference to Parks’ monochromatic photography. In all of the portraits, Ogle has done a fantastic job of representing the Greatriarchs as they are: each a unique individual with their own memories and histories that deserve to be heard. To learn more about the new Greatriarchs, visit the City Gallery during the month of February. There you will find Ogle’s original portraits, enlarged vinyls of the paintings, and accompanying text speaking to each Greatriarch’s history. 

City Gallery is open during regular business hours, 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Though these portraits are not for sale, there are plenty of other original works gracing the rest of our gallery walls that are. Please visit the Harrison Center website for more information or to peruse available works in our online gallery.