Karl E. Hall (b. 1952)

Born in 1952, artist Karl E. Hall grew up in the Sunnyside community in Houston, TX, and graduated in 1970 from E.E. Worthing High School. In 1976, Hall went on to earn a BA in Arts Education from Texas Southern University, where he studied drawing and painting under the late Dr. John T. Biggers. In 1979, he completed his MFA at University of Houston Clear Lake, studying painting and monotypes with Professor Sandria Hu.

After graduation, Hall served for 33 years as an Art Educator, first in North Forest Independent School District, followed by Galena Park Independent School District, where he retired in 2011. During his teaching career, he received numerous awards and accolades, in addition to the honor of many prize-winning students. Hall retired from the school system to pursue his dream of being a full-time artist or whatever God calls him to be. Painting in a style he refers to as “Gospel Surrealism”, Hall is a devout believer in God, and is currently a member of the Apostolic Assembly of Love church under the ministry of Bishop Louis Osborne and Sis. Gwen Osborne.

Throughout his career, Hall has won many prizes in juried art competitions and participated in numerous group shows. Works by Hall are published in the following books: Black Art in Houston by John Biggers, Carroll Simms, and John Edward Weems (1978); Art in Action by Guy Hubbard (1987); and Roots for Life by Roy L. Ford (2017). Today, he continues to reside in Houston, and is an active member of the Watercolor Society of Houston where he frequently exhibits. Like his mentors at TSU, Hall has spent a lifetime inspiring future generations of artists through his work as an educator.

Selected Biographical and Career Highlights

• 1952 Born in Houston, TX

• 1970 Graduated from E.E. Worthing High School in Houston, TX

• 1976 Graduated from Texas Southern University, B.A. in Art Education, studying under Dr. John T. Biggers

• 1979 Graduated from University of Houston, Clear Lake, MFA, studying painting and printmaking with Professor Sandria Hu

• 1978 Began teaching as an Art Educator in the North Forest and Galena Park Independent School District

• 2011 Retired after 33 years as an Art Educator in the Houston area public school system

•Currently resides in Houston, TX

Selected Exhibitions and Awards

• 2019 Texas Aesthetic XIII: Thirty Contemporary Artists Redefining Texas Art, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, TX

• 2018 Texas Aesthetic XII, William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art, Houston, TX

• 2018 Proteges: The Legacy of Dr. John Biggers, William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art, Houston, TX

• 2017 Homecoming: The 8th Biannual Alumni Exhibition, The University Museum, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

• 2017 On My Journey: The Legacy of John Biggers, curated by Sally Reynolds, Arts Brookfield, Houston, TX

• 2015 The 18th Citywide African American Artists Exhibition, curated by Dr. Sarah A. Trotty, The University Museum, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

• 2014 Houston Founders at City Hall, organized by William Reaves Fine Art and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Houston’s City Hall, Houston, TX

• 2014 Circle of Six: Selected Works by TSU Alumni, a group exhibition, The University Museum, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

• 2013 Homecoming: Art Alumni Biennial Exhibition, The University Museum, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

• 2003 7th Annual Citywide African-American Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX

• 2001 5th Annual Citywide African-American Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX

• 1997 1st Annual Citywide African-American Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX

• 1995 Twelve Texas Printmakers (Imprints), Local Color Art Gallery, College Station, TX

• 1995 Houston Area Exhibition, Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston/University Park, Houston, TX

• 1994 University of Houston Clear Lake Art Gallery, Clear Lake, TX

• 1994 My Mark (A Two Person Show), Local Color Art Gallery, College Station, TX

• 1992 The Southwest Black Art Exhibition, The Museum of African American Life and Culture, Dallas, TX (Awarded Printmaking Purchase Prize)

• 1991 Annual Black Art Alliance Exhibit, Austin, TX (Awarded Best of Mixed Media)

• 1991 The Watercolor Art Society Exhibition, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1991 Houston’s African American Artist: Forerunners and Newcomers, Art Gallery, Lamar

University, Beaumont, TX

• 1989 Black Artist Exhibition, Black Arts Alliance, Austin, TX

• 1988 The Eight Annual Atlanta Life National Art Competition and Exhibition, Atlanta, GA

• 1988 The Watercolor Art Society Exhibition, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1987 Houston Art Educator Association Exhibition, Houston, TX

• 1984 Houston Talent Expo ‘84, The People’s Workshop for the Visual and Performing Arts, Houston, TX

• 1983 Clear Creek Art League Exhibition, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1983 Houston Art Educator Association Exhibition, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1980 Houston Art League, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1980 Clear Creek Art League, Houston, TX (Award Winner)

• 1978 Jesse H. Jones Scholarship, Houston, TX

• 1978 Coastal Region Arts and Crafts Fair Scholarship, Houston, TX

Selected Public Collection

• Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

• The John Nau Collection of Texas Art, Houston, TX

Artist Statement:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Then God made man in his own image. God made something out of nothing. When something is made from nothing, I conclude it is a problem solved.

My work is inspired by the passion in me to express myself. The art here expresses the way I feel about the spiritual and physical aspects of life. Being an Artist presents the opportunity for me to witness to the world through my gifts about my Lord Jesus. Finally, I hope you enjoy the journey as you seek to find understanding in the spiritual meaning of my work.

Karl E. Hall

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