Richard Watson b. 1946
Grandfather's Watch, 2004
Mixed media collage
36 x 24 in.
91.4 x 61 cm
91.4 x 61 cm
© Richard Watson
Autobiographical, Description: A collage of family photos and Richard's poetry. The poem in this piece is titled Grandfather's Watch:"My grandfather's watch doesn't get me there on time because it's made of something cheaper than your grandfather's watch. Lord, it really shines and the sound would not disturb a sleeper. Your grandmother's dress you don't have to press and I know that she never had to share it. My grandmother's dress looks so bad because so many had to wear it. Standing out here in the cold while your fires inside are brightly burning. Standing out here growing old in a brand new world that keeps on turning. You know I've sacrificed to bring about some change. I've been criticized for things I've done. Cheated out of things I've won. Conditioned to be strong and tough. All and all I've had enough of standing out here in the rain while you're pouring more water on me. Standing out here with the pain that has shattered, battered, and torn me."
Provenance
Purchased from Susanna Gold, who purchased this piece directly from the artist.Exhibitions
"Tending to the Past", Fairchild Martindale Library, Lehigh University. Dates: Sep 26, 2025 - Mar 27, 2026"COLAB: Art and Music from Baltimore and Beyond", Eubie Blake Cultural Center. Dates: May 17, 2025 - Aug 8, 2025
"Perspective on the Past: Selections from the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art", Barbara Crawford Gallery, Chestnut Hill Academy. Dates: Jan 5, 2024 - Mar 8, 2024
"Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson Beyond Realities", The African American Museum in Philadelphia. Dates: Oct 21, 2021 - Mar 6, 2022
