Harry Seymour: An Oak Bluffs Artist Forging a Unique Path in Visual Storytelling

Harry Seymour is a distinguished artist based in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, known for his unique artistic techniques and poignant narratives that explore the beauty of the island, his African American cultural heritage, and themes of social justice. Before dedicating himself to art full-time, Seymour was a Professor Emeritus and department chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he had a distinguished career in the field of communication disorders.

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant community and scenic landscapes of Martha's Vineyard, Seymour's work is deeply personal and emotionally resonant. He is particularly noted for his innovative use of materials, a path he was led down due to allergies to traditional paints like oils and acrylics. This limitation spurred a journey of discovery, leading him to master and ingeniously combine mediums such as egg tempera, scratchboard, and pastels.

One of his signature techniques is a unique fusion of scratchboard and pastels. Scratchboard art is a subtractive process where the artist scratches away a dark ink surface to reveal a white layer underneath. Seymour has evolved this method by incorporating wax and pan pastels, allowing him to create works with both the precision of etching and the rich, vibrant colors of pastel. His egg tempera paintings are also unconventional; instead of traditional layering with fine brushstrokes, he often employs a "patting" technique to achieve softer edges and a glowing, pastel-like quality.

Much of Seymour's recent work delves into conversations about the social and political turmoil in the country and the world. He pairs many of his paintings with poetry, amplifying the emotional impact and narrative depth of each piece. Thiscombination of visual art and verse creates a powerful dialogue on issues of hatred, injustice, and inequality, while also celebrating the universality of the human condition.

His art has been featured in numerous galleries on Martha's Vineyard, including the Dragonfly Gallery, A Gallery, and the Carol Craven Gallery. He is also part of the permanent art collection at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. For those interested in his work, Seymour's studio in Oak Bluffs is open for private showings by appointment. His work is also currently being exhibited at the Mariposa Museum in Oak Bluffs for the summer season where he is the Artist in Residence.