This Fri. Dec. 18 Kelvin Blufton, Sr. (who also goes by Brother Nizar), a Gullah interpretive realism painter, will display his exhibit, Sons and Daughters of the Dust, at St. Julian Devine Center from 4-7 p.m. Pieces in the exhibit cover Gullah culture from colonial America to the present day. Blufton says, “I am hopeful that this exhibit will inspire others to investigate other lesser known aspects of Gullah cultural thought and behavior. For it is in this culture where it is demonstrated that you can overcome your adversary with your capacity to love.”
Born in Hollywood, S.C., Blufton won his first art contest in the third grade. He put his passion for painting aside after high school when he joined the army, and later, became a Charleston police officer. He has served in law enforcement both in Charleston and the state of South Carolina for 20 years. Blufton signs his paintings “Nizar,” an homage to the name, Nizar Ben Israel, that he received while studying in Israel in 1997.
Sons and Daughters of the Dust spans hundreds of years — starting in 1526 and traveling through America’s colonial plantation system. Blufton zooms in on Gullah culture: he paints rice plantations, sweetgrass baskets, palmetto roses, and activities like shrimping and crabbing.
Check out more of Blufton’s work here.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.