"Portraits often speak louder than words, so too it is with Ligel Lambert’s Fauvist-inspired artistic rendition of John Dewey*. Lambert’s use of sharp contours and strong colors insists on a dignified presence, not so much to the eye as to the activities of the contemplative mind,” shares TC’s Judy Burton, Macy Professor of Education and director of the Art & Art Education program, and Lambert’s advisor. “His work invites us into a dialogue and, through the urgency of its strong brushwork, conjures memories remade in challenging times.”
Celebrating John Dewey, an acrylic and paper painting on canvas depicts the bronze bust of John Dewey by sculptor Jacob Epstein, created in 1927, which resides in the central corridor of TC’s Zankel Hall.
Lambert is a doctoral candidate in TC’s Art & Art Education program and serves as an adjunct professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design as well as an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College (CUNY). His interdisciplinary practice spans painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and sculpture. His art “seeks to capture the intricacies of the human experience through symbolic references, revealing how creativity, mentorship and expression shape the communities we build, where each piece created is a celebration, and each individual piece tells a unique story.”
Born in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Lambert developed an early passion for the fine arts and music. He attended Savannah Arts Academy during high school and briefly studied at the Savannah College of Art & Design before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a musician in one of the Corps’ 12 prestigious musical bands. Following his military service, Lambert returned to college as a non-traditional student, utilizing the G.I. Bill to support his studies. After earning a bachelor’s in fine arts with a concentration in graphic design (2011), he would go on to earn a master’s in fine arts with a concentration in painting (2013) and a master’s degree in education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction (2021).
A symbolic representation of Glen Ligon by Ligel Lambert. (Photo: Ligel Lambert) A symbolic representation of Nick Cave by Ligel Lambert. (Photo: Ligel Lambert) A symbolic representation of David C. Driskell by Ligel Lambert. (Photo: Ligel Lambert)Carousel
In his artistic practice, Lambert explores themes of celebration and sound, applying geometric abstraction and symbolism. His non-naturalistic use of color echoes the Fauves, particularly the painter André Derain, whose bold color palette continues to influence his work.
His early career included teaching and artistry in Savannah before teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in South Korea and Japan. Lambert taught visual art and graphic design in China from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, Lambert continued teaching visual art and graphic design to high school students in New York City before applying to TC’s doctoral program in Art & Art Education in 2021 in order to pursue teaching in higher education.
To explore his interpretation of sound, Lambert uses a wide array of surrealistic musical notations that he has created to further translate the meaning behind his sound-based works and paintings. “Music can also be sound,” he shares, “but sound is not always music.”
His newest collection of work, the “Black Male Artist Professor Series,” celebrates visibility and accessibility in higher education, specifically within visual art programs & art education progress in the United States. “I wanted to highlight Black male artist-professors in the field who have led with inclusivity and created a space for others to thrive.” A show extending this series was featured this spring/summer (May 1st through June 30th) in TC’s Offit Gallery in the Gottesman Libraries.
Learn more about Lambert and his work at: www.ligel.com