What the Memphis Grizzlies locker room and the National Portrait Gallery have in common
Elliot Perry brings significant works of original African-American art to an unlikely place
Elliot Perry discusses where his love for collecting contemporary art originated, and what kinds of artists he's drawn to. Perry recently installed an exhibition of selected pieces from his collection in one of the Memphis Grizzlies' locker rooms. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
Why are original works from major African-American artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Carrie Mae Weems, and Ernie Barnes hanging in the Grizzlies locker room? Because of Elliot Perry.
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Elliot Perry Kehinde Wiley Memphis Grizzlies Mike Conley visual artsChris Herrington on demand
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Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington has covered the Memphis Grizzlies, in one way or another, since the franchise’s second season in Memphis, while also writing about music, movies, food and civic life. As far as he knows, he’s the only member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association who is also a member of a film critics group and has also voted in national music critic polls for Rolling Stone and the Village Voice (RIP). He and his wife have two kids and, for reasons that sometimes elude him, three dogs.
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