Pioneer in the world of hip-hop graphic design Cey Adams will present this year’s annual Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture in Humanities on February 5, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Arkansas University Reynolds Center Grand Hall.
His presentation, “Def Jam & Beyond: an Artist’s Story,” is free and open to the public.
As the legendary creative director of Def Jam Recordings, he created album artwork and logos, as well as advertising campaigns for the likes of Jay-Z, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Notorious B.I.G., Maroon 5, and many others.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington recently commissioned Cey to create a large-scale mural entitled One Nation, during Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration. He designed the spectacular Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label and co-authored DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip-Hop – the first comprehensive anthology written in the name of the genre.
Cey’s vision pushes the boundaries of art and design as it intertwines with hip-hop culture and society at large. His work focuses on themes including race and gender relations, cultural and community issues, and pop culture. He exhibits, lectures, and teaches art workshops at many established institutions including the MoMA, Pratt Institute, and universities nationwide. Cey lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he is always creating mind-altering masterpieces.
The Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lectureship in the Humanities was established by an initial gift from Sarai T. Crone. Her son, John T. Crone, III, of San Antonio, completed the funding of her commitment as executor of her estate. The lectureship in the College of Liberal and Performing Arts at SAU provides for an annual presentation by an outstanding figure in history, literature, psychology, sociology, or political science.
For more information on the Emerson-Thomas-Crone Lecture or on how to begin an endowment to fund a lectureship series, contact the SAU Foundation Office at (870) 235-4078.
