"Strange Fruit"

This significant and historic acrylic on canvas (original size painting 76” x  76”)  depicts the creative work of emerging Sacramento, California artist Lawrence Jones. This painting recognizes the brilliant artistry of Jazz Vocalist, Billie Holiday, and the exceptional moving poetry of Able Meeropol.  Mr. Meeropol, a white Jewish teacher from Bronx, New York, wrote “Strange Fruit” in 1937 to protest American racism, particularly the lynching of African Americans.

Lawrence Jones captures a visual depiction of each artist unique creative expression of "Strange Fruit."  Portraying the innocent bloodshed, senseless acts of racially motivated murders and the injustice of Black Americans.  Lynching and bodies brutally whipped and tied to base of trees, alone with smoldering corpses represents these tragic events. 

 "Strange Fruit"

Lyrics Written by Able Meeropol and sung by Billie Holiday

Southern trees bear a strange fruit,

Blood at the leaves and blood at the root,

Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,

Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh,

Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,

For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,

For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,

Here is a strange and bitter crop.

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4onecollection@gmail.com