Saturday, February 1–Sunday, March 16, 2025
Available weekends 1:00–4:30 pm
Weekdays with a guided tour, or by appointment (see below for tour closure dates)
$5.00 per person, included with a guided tour/event attendance
Free for all Museum membership levels and children 4 and under

This exhibition presents a collection of 25 paintings by American artist Rudolph “Rudy” Bostic (1941–2021). Celebrated for his bold and expressive color palette, Bostic developed a distinctive technique using enamel and house paint on cardboard. A longtime member of the Second African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, Bostic drew inspiration from both the Bible and the works of masters such as Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. His art has appeared in folk art museums and galleries throughout the southern United States. In this exhibition, Bostic’s paintings explore a range of biblical themes and stories, from the creation of Adam to scenes from the life of Christ.

Throughout his life, Bostic wanted to express his religious beliefs through his art. As he put it, “For me, the Bible is the real thing and it’s got story after story to paint.” Raised in a family led by a widowed mother who struggled to support four children on a hairdresser’s earnings, Bostic faced limited opportunities to explore his artistic talents. He is remembered for his use of inexpensive materials. Bostic’s canvases were crafted from recycled cardboard, sourced from discarded boxes and barrel lids like the ones at the bakery where he worked. On these cardboard panels he created his art with other ready-to-hand materials, namely house or enamel paint, finished with a coat of varnish.

Bostic was drawn to the contrast between light and dark that he saw in the works of Rembrandt. To such techniques he brought other elements of his own, such as his use of vibrant colors, bold lines, and painted framing devices. His study of religious paintings by earlier artists also nurtured his ultimate purpose in painting—to reflect his own spirituality. As Bostic explained, “Inspired by their work, I try to express my love for God and the world.”

Cardboard Chronicles: The Biblical Art of Rudolph Bostic features artwork on loan from the Bowden Collections, privately owned by Sandra Bowden.