COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - The Columbus Museum and Chattahoochee Valley libraries joined forces to celebrate a Georgia artist and civil rights icon as they talked about his legacy and showed his documentary; all a part of Black History Month.
“All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert,” produced by New York filmmaker, Vivian Ducat was shown Thursday at the Columbus Public Library to not only tell, but keep the story of Cuthbert, Georgia native, Winfred Rembert alive. Rembert is known for his artwork on leather canvases.
“I knew that as soon as I met him I knew that he was talent, not only a talented artist, but I knew he would be good on camera,” said Ducat, “So, I tried to tell the story of his life both where he lived in Connecticut and here in Cuthbert, Georgia.”
Ducat says Rembert’s work is in museums around the country and will probably go abroad, but it’s sad Rembert isn’t around to witness it all.
“He would always say, ‘is it true, that my work will be worth more when I’m dead? He said to someone once, ‘why don’t you just throw me under the bus.’ He was such a character,” said Ducat.
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A character that lived through Jim Crow Laws era, went to the cotton fields with his mother, served in prison for 7 years, and survived a lynching at the age of 21.
Ducat says she met Rembert when he had his first gallery show.
I think that people who have the confidence in themselves and who always have a sense about what the right thing is can go beyond. The people who told him he won’t be anyone, they’re the lesser people and they were cruel, but their cruelty motivated him. He had a very hard beginning and still always lived as a poor man, and it’s amazing seeing that he’s getting the recognition he deserves.
— Vivian Ducat, Filmmaker
Rembert’s childhood friend, Robert Carter, attended the screening. Rembert and Carter struggled together growing up in their small Georgia town. Carter tells News Leader 9 he’s seen the documentary at least four times.
“My mother loved him just like she was his child, she always made sure he had something to eat and somewhere to lay his head,” said Carter.
Carter hadn’t seen Rembert for more than forty years, until they were reunited in their hometown for an exhibit. Carter says his friend is courageous.
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“The white people told him that he would never be nothing, and he proved them wrong and I’m proud of him for that,” said Carter.
When asked what would she say to Rembert if he were still living, Ducat says:
“You see, you are somebody. Look Winfred, look at all the people who love your art, look at how valuable your art has become, your book everyone reads it. You were right and the Wilson brothers were wrong.”
The Columbus Museum, closed for renovations right now, is set to open the first week in May. That’s when you have the chance to see two of Rembert’s pieces on display.
You can also watch the documentary about Rembert on Amazon Prime Video for a rental fee.
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