Local artist unveils exhibition inspired by Aiken-Rhett Museum

By Anna Marie Imbordino / Photos by Anna Marie Imbordino

In partnership with the home’s emotionally moving audio tour, the art installation creates a new sense of life for the space that adds a timely, contemporary layer to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum's ever-evolving story.

One of Charleston’s best-known museum properties, theAiken-Rhett House Museum,is a uniquely preserved “as-found” townhome whose surviving structures, design features and furnishings provide a window into urban life in antebellum Charleston. Built in 1820, the over 20,000-square-foot-complex offers museum guests the opportunity to tour the grand house, kitchen, laundry, carriage block and the original quarters for the enslaved people.

Like any other museum guest,artistDavid Boatwright,known and loved locally for his iconic murals, stopped by the museum home to enjoy the tour experience. Drawing from his experiences at past art shows with theHistoric Charleston Foundation,he curated an intriguing exhibition inspired by the families who called the space home.

“I love to comment on Southern culture,” he shares, “There’s a romance to it and a deep complexity. In many ways, the Aiken-Rhett House exemplifies the era.” He goes on to explain how he stopped by the home to study it. He took pictures and explored the spaces studying colors, figures, statues, paintings and making sketches.

Boatwright's storytelling layers artistic techniques seen throughout film, sculpture, murals and portraits. A true muralist, the home itself became the show's canvas. And like a true filmmaker, he framed each piece within the environmental references allowing those immersed to absorb the nuances between the narrative. Artwork blending effortlessly into the home's palette. Artwork asking, or in some cases, answering to the fragments of stories left unfinished and forgotten over time.

The 13 original paintings staged throughout the property mix eras and thematic layers, creating space for the viewer to complete the narrative and carry the story with them throughout the tour.

“I wanted to speak to the figures not memorialized. I also wanted to explore the concept of Southern icons and archetypes.”

The show entitled, “That’s ALL Folks,” demonstrates a well-researched and deeply appreciative understanding of the home's story while also addressing the greater cultural conversations and regional nostalgia. The 13 original paintings staged throughout the property mix eras and thematic layers, creating space for the viewer to complete the narrative and carry the story with them throughout the tour. In addition to portraits of family members and mythical figures inspired by the home’s art collection, the show adds commentary through the use of iconic pop culture references like Coca-Cola, Peanuts and other recognizable Southern elements from the artist's youth.

In partnership with the home’s emotionally moving audio tour, the art installation creates a new sense of life for the space that adds a timely, contemporary layer to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum's ever-evolving story.

“That’s ALL Folks” premiered on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Aiken-Rhett House Museum followed by an exclusive, intimate evening reception hosted by the Historic Charleston Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 10. It remains on view to the public with regular admission through Veteran’s Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. Admission can be purchased on-site as well as online athistoriccharleston.org.Those interested in learning more about artist David Boatwright can find him atluckyboyart.com.