Mildred Thompson, abstract expressionist
Hyfler/Rosner
BYLINE: J.E. GESHWILER
SOURCE: Atlanta Journal Constitution
Mildred Thompson came at the world in vibrant living color. She was best
known for painting her abstract canvases in an explosion of bright hues, and
she urged her art students to do likewise.
"Mildred devoted her life to Abstract Expressionism, one of the few
African-American female artists trained in that European tradition," said a
friend, Don Roman of Atlanta. "She produced an awesome body of work, 5,000
pieces ranging from complex oil paintings to delightful pen-and-ink
drawings."
In addition, she was a sculptor, photographer, draftsman, musician and
educator. "Whenever Mildred started something, she carried through to
completion. She left nothing undone," said her partner, Donna Jackson of
Atlanta.
Ms. Thompson died Monday of cancer at Hospice Atlanta. The body was
cremated. National Cremation Society is in charge of arrangements. Plans for
a memorial service are pending.
She spent much of her career in Germany and France, where she felt her
talent was better appreciated. Even so, some of her works are included in
the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, New York's Museum of Modern
Art and the Brooklyn Museum.
"Mildred deserved more recognition than she got in America," said Henry
Flood Roberts Jr., former director of the Jacksonville Museum of
Contemporary Art. "I invited her to put on a major show of her work in 1997
in Jacksonville, which she was glad to do because that was her hometown."
"People were knocked out by Mildred's large and colorful canvases and a
roomful of her bird-like sculptures," he said.
Ms. Thompson moved to Atlanta in 1986 and taught at Spelman, Morris Brown
and Agnes Scott colleges and the Atlanta College of Art.
"Mildred inspired me to express abstract ideas with feeling and focus," said
Andree Paerels of Marietta. "Previously I painted in monotones. She
encouraged me to use colors that carry the observor to a beautiful place."
Ms. Thompson took up music as a performer, singing and playing guitar in a
band called We Do Blues, which played regularly at Daddy D'Z, a Southside
barbecue place, and during lunch hours at Woodruff Park.
"Mildred favored what I'd call 'happy blues' --- none of that 'My Baby Done
Left Me' stuff," said Kerry Davis of Clarkston, a band member. "She wrote
uplifting songs like 'A Peacock in the Ghetto,' which is a favorite of mine.
Her songs were flavored with humor and beauty but still had a bluesy sound."
A special exhibition of Ms. Thompson's work is planned at City Gallery East
on Ponce de Leon, starting Jan. 9, said curator Karen Comer of Smyrna.
Survivors include a sister, Ruth Cunningham of Tallahassee.