WASHINGTON — Museum of the Bible will display paintings from the “Dissertation on Peace Exhibit” (“D.O.P.E.”) created by renowned father and son artists Jerome W. Jones Jr. and Jeromyah Jones from Richmond, Virginia, from Thursday, July 22, through Monday, Nov. 1. The Joneses use their paintings and poetry as mediums to comment on current events and to create conversations.
Each piece on display at the museum is part of the larger “Dissertation on Peace Exhibit,” which presents peace as a biblical solution to issues and fears in today’s world, from natural disasters to civil unrest. References appear throughout the series that point to the future kingdom of peace as described in the Bible and to Jesus as the Prince of Peace who ultimately delivers those who suffer.
“These philosophical and poetic paintings show that merging the right music, mentors and morals can create concord among parties that most would say are not capable of coming together. These compositions project the art of history, self-discovery, self-determination, family unity and community responsibility in ways that reflect what it truly means for the Pinnacle of Peace to manifest itself today. Our paintings are our pages and every page is a parable. These pictorial narratives are intended to assist the viewers in seeing themselves within each situation to ultimately impact their perception on how humanity can subsist in serenity. Some of these pieces encourage society to sit in peace and talk with purpose after surveying the combination of conversations depicted. When it comes to finding an answer to diminish the largest problems in the land, if we cannot talk it out, let’s draw it out,” write Jerome W. Jones Jr. and Jeromyah Jones in their artists’ statement.
For over 40 years, Jerome W. Jones Jr. has been using his original paintings to teach “The Art of Life Through The Love of Art” to inspire the young and old to use their gifts to uplift others. Jerome’s creative style of portraiture reflects the likeness of his subjects and their stories. Jones’ art company, The Painter’s Poetree, features his original paintings, portraits, “poetree” and prints. Jerome has over 100 autographed portraits in his “Ingenious Artistic Minds” collection of paintings. His work is in the collections of L.D. Britt, MD, Evander Holyfield, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jordan, LaVar Arrington, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, VCU Health Systems, the City of Richmond, Second Baptist Church, Sixth Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Union Theological Seminary and many other public and private collections. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980.
Jeromyah Jones is painting in the footsteps of his father. He received a Bachelor of Arts in comprehensive art from Hampton University in 2011. Jeromyah’s landscape paintings were featured at Maymont’s Centennial of the Japanese Garden, and he has held exhibitions with his father at the Hampton University Museum, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, The Gallery at Main Street Station and the Trumpet Award Celebration. His art is in the collections of institutions such as the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art, the American College of Greece in Athens, Baylor University, Nebraska Methodist College, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Christian Theological Seminary and Hood Theological Seminary.
The Joneses’ “Dissertation on Peace Exhibit” was displayed at the United States Institute of Peace during the 2020 NEXUS USA Summit and the 2017 Richmond Peace Festival. Their work has been praised in the media and they have received international recognition for their 2019 “I AM 400” collection, which commemorates 400 years of African history in America and celebrates and honors the “character, culture and contributions of African Americans during this historic period.” The artists have also met and shared their poem on peace with former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Together, the Joneses’ work has been featured in international and national print, online and on television outlets such as Religion Unplugged, CNN, Voice of America, The Art Newspaper, NBA on TNT, Ebony, LAND Magazine, Chess UK, The National Herald, Today and more.
The museum will display seven paintings from the “Dissertation on Peace Exhibit”:
2020 PROVISION
This painting by Jerome W. Jones Jr. is his visualization of the mother described in Revelation 12. Above her are seven eyes that represent the spirits of God from Revelation 5:6 and to the right are the fruits of the Spirit described by the artist as the internal manifestations of God’s provision.
Fill It with Joy
This painting displays a style of portraiture developed by Jeromyah Jones that combines a detailed face with a simplified body. The scene is inspired by Psalm 16:11 and Isaiah 12:3, as well as the “living water” as described in the books of Jeremiah, Zechariah, John and Revelation.
Let’s Pray
This painting by Jerome W. Jones Jr. is inspired by Matthew 21:22. Pausing to pray at the dinner table is common practice for many. It brings families together to give thanks for the blessings of life and to ask for peace in times of trouble.
This Fruit Will Heal the Nations
This painting by Jerome W. Jones Jr. is inspired by Isaiah 57:19. The fruit in the center of the painting represents the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Adam’s Sneakers
This painting by Jeromyah Jones is an allegory symbolizing good and evil in a manner similar to the redemption images of the artist Lucas Cranach. Hanging from a wire are shoes of the brand Stacey Adams, which allude to the name of the first man in the garden of Eden. Some neighborhoods attribute the presence of hanging shoes to the location of where someone died.
Creation Groans Together
“Creation groans together because man is not better, Creation waits … For the glory weather, That glorious season in the earth when HIS children are clothed with a glory beyond worth! Romans Chapter 8 Teaches us why all creation groans and waits …” (© 2020 Jerome W. Jones Jr.).
Spiritual Medicine
This is an allegorical painting by Jeromyah Jones representing the angel who saved Daniel from the lions in Daniel 6:22. While the Bible does not say how the angel shut the lions’ mouths, the artist envisaged what mechanism could have been utilized.
More information on the “Dissertation on Peace Exhibit” display is available here.
More information on Museum of the Bible is available here.
