Larry T. Clemons

In the late 80’s, while living in Florida, Larry discovered self-taught artist Purvis Young and fell in love with the art and the man.  For eighteen years Larry and Purvis were inseparable. They traveled to the Philadelphia Museum of Art by train (due to Purvis’ fear of flying) to see his first exhibition at a major museum. From there, Larry dedicated a substantial part of his life championing Purvis Young’s art. At his passing Souls Grown Deep President, Maxwell Anderson, said “Larry was a giant in his field. His knowledge was unmatched, and his advocacy was tireless and highly influential in shining a much-needed light on many artists – Purvis most of all – and his legacy as expert and patron will endure.” 

Larry’s relationship with the artists he represented was well documented by the artists themselves. From original drawings by Thornton Dial of his friends’ Larry and Purvis, to the brightly colored trucks and trains that Purvis painted and drew with “Larry” scrawled across the sides.

Near the end of Purvis’ life and career he was ensnarled in a horrific conservatorship, as he battled the courts for his release, it was Larry who he named as his proxy. When Purvis’ life ended in 2010, Larry continued to promote Purvis Young as one of the greatest artists that ever lived. He never stopped trying to help Purvis or his family, and in one of the last emails that he composed, Larry laid out a plan to benefit Purvis’ step-grandchildren, called the PYG royalty program. Today, Larry’s heirs are making that program a reality by donating 5% of all proceeds for Larry’s Purvis Young Collection to Purvis’ step-grandchildren and by doing so, hope that they will inspire other collectors to do the same.

In addition to Peter Max, Purvis Young and Thornton Dial, Larry collected another self-taught artist from the south, Reverend Howard Finster. They too, enjoyed an enduring friendship filled with stories and shared memories that Larry loved to recite when sharing his massive Finster collection.

His love of collecting extended to his hometown hero Muhammed Ali, Elvis, the Beatles, Woodstock, sports memorabilia, and thousands upon thousands of movie posters. Larry touched the lives of so many and will be remembered for his passion and generosity as well as his signature signoff – peace and love.