Legacy in Flight: the practice, passion and historical collection of Artist Randy Proby

Legacy in Flight

the practice, passion and historical collection of Artist Randy Proby

Legacy in Flight

It would have been easy to make the focus of this exhibition revolve solely around the Tuskegee Airmen, but that would have been a clear mistake. While the venerated Tuskegee Airmen are respected, appreciated and rightfully treated as the legends they are, this particular showing of artwork and artifact originates from a singular, unique spirit.

The love and spirit on display here is that of artist and community member, Mr. Randy Proby, whose love of painting, passion for life and people, and collection of historical artifacts could only come from his singular spirit, that lead to a beautiful and chance connection. A connection that only the Las Vegas desert could facilitate.

Somewhere along their personal timelines the paths of Mr. Randy Proby and Mr. James B. Knighten crossed in the desert of Las Vegas, NV. Where Mr. Knighten, after a storied career as one of the original members of the 99th Fighter Squadron (which would lead to the Tuskegee Airmen), was in his second act of life as a comedian. A chance encounter of someone seeing Mr. Proby working on a painting brought the two together, which led to a mutually fulfilling relationship of art, spirit and history.

This relationship has led directly to this exhibition we are standing within today. Paintings by Mr. Proby, authentic worn artifacts of Mr. Knighten’s (which he traded for paintings by Mr. Proby), and a collection of books and other memorabilia brought together by Mr. Proby’s sincere historical exploration. To cap the exhibition and bring it full circle to today, the spirit of community comes to life with four paintings by contemporary artists in our community who continue a shared artistic legacy with Mr. Randy Proby.

Legacy in Flight

December 13, 2024 - January 10, 2025

ThirtyThree Gallery (33.G)

912 W Owens Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106

www.thirtythreegallery.com

Exhibition text, "The Artist, Mr. Proby" by Terramce Richard, 2024

5 Tons of Screaming Metal Too" by Dyron Boyd, 2022 (right)

"Authentic Flight Gear of James B. Knighten" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby ; "Fighter Pilot (B.O. Davis)" and "Side Gunner" by Randy Proby, 1997

"...Peaceful Moments" by Randy Proby, 1998 ; "Tuskegee Airmen G.I. Joe & Authentic Flight Gear" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby

"Born to Fly" by Terrance Richard, 2024 ; "Air Traffic Controlmen" by Randy Proby, 1997 ; "...Peaceful Moments" by Randy Proby, 1998

"Born to Fly" by Terrance Richard, 2024 ; "Air Traffic Controlmen" by Randy Proby, 1997

"Palette Knife Portrait Experiment" by Randy Proby, 1998 ; "The Aviation Archive Deluxe, P51D Mustang ‘Lt. Freddie Hutchins’ Limited Edition 1:32 Scale Replica Plane" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby

"Historical WWII Poster Print" & "Tuskegee Airmen Special Edition GI Joe & Authentic Flight Gear" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby

"General Benjamin O. Davis" by Randy Proby, 1997 ; "Photographs of James B. Knighten" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby ; "The Past Your Future" by Randy Proby

"Red Tail" by Anthony Johnson, 2024 ; "Tuskegee Airmen Signed Print, Literature Collection and NEwspaper Clipping" Courtesy the Collection of Randy Proby ; "Tuskegee Airmen Fighter Squadron Insignia Paintings" by Randy Proby

About Mr. Randy Proby

Born 02.25.1961 in Natchez, MS

Graduated from Rancho HS in Las Vegas, NV in 1979

Vicki Richardson was Mr. Proby’s art teacher at Left of Center Art Gallery & Studio where he attended and taught art classes throughout the years, he also taught classes at the West Las Vegas Art Center. Mr. Proby is a life-long lover of airplanes and history, especially war history. His interest in the Tuskegee Airmen was sparked when seeing the 1995 HBO movie The Tuskegee Airmen. Prior to this film Mr. Proby was unaware of the storied military pilots, and thought it was all a fabricated lie for the HBO film. In Mr. Proby’s words:

"I went down a rabbit hole and never came out.!"

From here he immediately began making paintings and models of the Airmen and the famous Red Tail planes. While working on one of his Tuskegee-inspired paintings at legendary Left of Center Studio he met Kim Russell who noticed the subject-matter of his work. She said I need to introduce you to my father... Mr. James B Knighten. A friendship developed between Mr. Knighten and Mr. Proby, who would end up becoming their family artist.

He would never except money for payment. Instead, Mr. Knighten would give Mr. Proby a personal item of his from his time as a member of the famous 99th. A collection that includes authentic flight-worn gear of Mr. Knighten’s, honorific medals including an authentic Purple Heart among others (not on display in Legacy in Flight), as well as items of Mr. Proby’s own collecting including the unopened limited edition GI Joe’s and small book collection.

We thank you for your coming to view this special collection of history and spirit.

33.G,

2024

RUNWAY SLAVES, a solo art exhibition by "Yard$"