“Hold On To Your Dreams: Homage to the Musical Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron”. New Exhibit

“Hold On To Your Dreams: Homage to the Musical Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron”, as artist Jeanie Dooha describes, is an exhibit illustrating Gil’s songs. In addition, the exhibit will include two portraits by guest artist Rolayn Tauben. “Hold On To Your Dreams” opens with a public reception on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Gualala Arts.

Dickens wrote “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair”. Jeanie Dooha adds, “Gil’s lyrics and heartfelt vocals along with the music he created, often in collaboration with the talented Brian Jackson, express sentiments similar to Dickens, sadly still relevant.”

Gil Scott-Heron was a beloved and powerful performer, author, instructor and advocate/activist for social, political, personal and environmental consciousness and justice. In addition to authoring 2 novels, poetry books and a memoir, Gil had a busy recording, performance and touring schedule. In fact, his brief stint as a college creative writing instructor after earning a master’s degree was cut short as his music schedule took precedence.

It is true that Scott-Heron wrestled with his own demons, which at times interfered with his ability to share those talents, and with his personal relationships. This was especially sad as it contradicted some of the powerful warnings in the songs he wrote. Despite his addiction and incarceration experiences, he pulled himself together late in life and was able to record another album and tour again. Scott-Heron’s body of work, the legacy of a passionate, influential and talented performer, needs to be kept alive in our hearts and minds and passed on to a younger generation.

Jeanie Dooha adds, “I was born the same month and year as Gil, raised in a progressive and music and art-loving family with similar feelings and values as Gil. I own most, if not all, of his recordings and attended countless of his performances, so it’s not surprising that I wrote in my Art Journal in November of 1982 that I wanted to create a series of art pieces based on Gil’s song titles. Since then, I have read his novels and poetry; danced, laughed, cried and raged to his music and performances, and endeavored to let others know of their importance. Thirty-five years later I began to fulfill my desire by painting, drawing and collaging pieces reflecting the lyrics of his songs, often working to and guided by those still moving tunes.“

Just before the pandemic closed the world down, a reception was held at a gallery in San Francisco’s North Beach for a smaller version of this Homage to Gil’s Musical Legacy.“Throughout the pandemic”, Dooha adds,  “I continued creating new paintings, collages and a diorama, wanting to share this visual honoring of his legacy with other communities, hoping to reach folks unfamiliar with his work. I invited my talented artist friend Rolayn Tauben, with whom my sister and I attended one of Gil’s final concerts in Oakland [November of 2010], to create a couple of portraits to include in this show. We were grateful to have been at that performance as he passed away in May of 2011.”

The exhibit continues through May 7, 2023.