Newton/Duffy Correspondence: 1980s

Considered to be one of Detroit's most prolific and reclusive artists, Gordon Newton has never faltered in conveying the raw depth of his emotions or the story of his environment through painting, drawing, sculpting, or reconstructing. Newton's contributions to the art world help to define the style of the Cass Corridor movement as well as place it within the larger context of the history of avant-garde art in Detroit and beyond. Newton's work of the past several decades has been described as "dense" and "all-consuming," which can also be applied to the method in which he works. By exhausting ideas and themes and using different approaches to artistic invention over the course of his career, Newton has never failed to generate projects comprised of intricately layered meaning.

Art enthusiast and proprietor of the Edward W. Duffy & Company pipe supplier James Pearson Duffy emerged as a principal benefactor to preeminent Cass Corridor artists. Duffy took a special interest in the burgeoning art scene, and more specifically, took an interest in Newton's work and the energy he put forth into creating art. Duffy and Newton subsequently began a correspondence, with Duffy's support and patronage acting as catalyst for the propagation of Newton's mail art which would span several decades, from the late 1970s until Duffy's passing in 2009. Newton's exchanges with Duffy (whom Newton often refers to as 'Jim') over the past several decades show an intense involvement and dedication to the creative process on the part of Newton, while simultaneously reflecting the depth of the artist-patron relationship shared between them.

Text by Claire Cirocco https://artcollection.wayne.edu/exhibitions/newton-duffy-correspondence-