Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New Hayward Oubre exhibit coming to Birmingham Museum of Art, Oct. 4 – Feb. 2
Reading time: 4 minutes
A new exhibit is coming soon to the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA)! Titled Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity, the exhibit features the work of Hayward Oubre, an artist from New Orleans best known for his sculptures made from wire coat hangers.
Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity will be hosted at the BMA from October 4 through February 2, 2025.
Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity
Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity features 52 sculptures, paintings and prints from Hayward L. Oubre, Jr., a key figure in the history of Black American art.
The exhibit is the first to focus solely on Oubre’s artwork, which combines his experiences, interests and art historical influences in a variety of mediums, from realism to pure abstraction.
“Oubre’s modernist practice incorporated accessible new and found materials to produce work steeped in its place and moment: funny and current, relevant and visually dynamic, as well as political and personal.
Within Oubre’s story is a history of Alabama art shaping American art that has yet to be written. This exhibition begins to tell this story, laying the foundation for future projects on the work of Black artists in the South.”
Katelyn D. Crawford, The William Cary Hulsey Curator of American Art at the BMA
Born in New Orleans in 1906, Oubre was the first student to graduate with a bachelor of fine arts from Dillard University, Louisiana’s oldest HBCU. Oubre continued his studies with postgraduate work at Atlanta University and the University of Iowa, and was mentored by prominent artists Hale Woodruff and Nancy Elizabeth Prophet.
Hayward L. Oubre, Jr. (American, 1916–2006), Space Rhythms, 1960, painted metal wire on wood base, 41 ⅝ x 17 ¼ x 22 in., The Johnson Collection, Spartanburg, South Carolina 
Hayward L. Oubre, Jr. (American, 1916–2006), Young Horse, about 1957, 60 ¼ x 18 ¼ in., The Hayward Oubre Estate, Courtesy of Debra Force Fine Art, image credit: John Woo 
Hayward L. Oubre, Jr. (American, 1916–2006), Bongo Drummer, about 1960, painted steel wire on wood base, 64 x 25 ¼ x 27 ⅛ in., Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art; Museum purchase, 2021.75, image credit: Erin Croxton
Although he worked in a variety of mediums, Oubre is best known for his work with wire coat hangers, which he used to create nearly 40 modernist masterworks during his career.
“This exhibition brings Oubre’s work to our local, regional, and national audiences, highlighting his important legacy, which has been carefully stewarded by his family, friends, students, and early collectors.
Oubre bridged a century with his unshakable determination to create. When he retired in 1981, he had taught and made art for more than forty years, educating generations of Black southern artists.”
Katelyn D. Crawford, The William Cary Hulsey Curator of American Art at the BMA
See Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity at the Birmingham Museum of Art
Thanks to support from the Terra Foundation for American Art, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Henry Luce Foundation, the BMA is pleased to bring Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity to The Magic City.
“From vivid and assertive canvases that seem to announce themselves as visual declarations, to intricate and colorful wire sculptures that achieve new heights for the medium in his expert hands, Oubre’s work both captivates and fascinates.
The BMA is proud to organize the first major monographic exhibition of his work and play a role in bringing his genius to a wider audience. The project is also meaningful for us because of the role Oubre played in educating generations of artists in Alabama.”
Graham C. Boettcher, R. Hugh Daniel Director and CEO of the Birmingham Museum of Art
Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity will be unveiled at the BMA on Friday, October 4 and run through Sunday, February 2.
Excited to see this new exhibit at the BMA? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
