Hooks-Epstein Galleries has been exhibiting Kermit Oliver’s paintings, drawings, hand-colored prints, and even sculpture, for close to 4 decades. This would not be possible without a love for the art and for Kermit himself. Kermit Oliver’s masterfully executed paintings and drawings have earned him worldwide recognition as one of the finest contemporary American artists of our time. In addition, Kermit Oliver, a student of Greek and Roman mythology and of the Old and New Testaments, derives extensive symbolism from these texts, which he presents in his work in a contemporary and highly personal way. His paintings show the honesty and integrity of a talented and dedicated artist. His works have a sense of spirit and mystery that reflect his unique and personal vision.
Oliver’s work is currently being exhibited at the Bryan Museum (Galveston, TX) in "Kermit Oliver & Hermès: Storytelling on Silk and Canvas". His work was most recently exhibited in 2024 and 2023 (respectively) in the group exhibitions "Target Texas: Studio Practice" at the Art Museum of South Texas (Corpus Christi, TX) and "Witness: Black Artists in Texas, Then and Now" at The Grace Museum (Abilene, TX). In 2021, "New Narratives, New Beginnings" was the inaugural exhibition of the newly remodeled Art Center Waco (Waco, TX). "New Narratives, New Beginnings", guest curated by art historian/author Susie Kalil, featured paintings and works on paper spanning over three decades. His work was included in the inaugural exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, DC), which opened to the public in 2016. Also in 2016, The Nave Museum (Victoria, TX) held a solo exhibition of selected works by Oliver.
In 2005, Oliver’s work was the subject of a lifetime retrospective at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. "Notes from a Child's Odyssey: The Art of Kermit Oliver", curated by art historian/scholar Dr. Alvia J. Wardlaw, featured works from the 1960's to the 2000's. Oliver's work was included in the 2001 international SITE SANTA FE biennial (NM), curated by art historian/critic Dave Hickey.
In 2017, Oliver was appointed the 2017 State Two-Dimensional Artist by the Texas Commission on the Arts. In 2013, Oliver received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art League Houston.
Oliver’s work is included in the permanent collections of The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (Beaumont, TX), The Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas, TX), The El Paso Museum (El Paso, TX), The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Houston, TX), The San Antonio Museum of Art (San Antonio, TX), and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, DC). Most recently the Art Museum of South Texas (Corpus Christi, TX) acquired a work for their permanent collection.
An alumnus of Texas Southern University who was mentored by Professor and muralist, Dr. John Biggers, Oliver was honored in 2016 at the university’s biennial For The Sake of Art gala and runway show. He was the subject of an article in the October 2012 issue of Texas Monthly, titled "Portrait of the Artist as a Postman: The strange and secret world of Kermit Oliver". He was also featured in an NPR news segment, "How A Texas Postman Became An Hermès Designer". Oliver holds the distinction of being the only American artist to create scarf designs for the French fashion house of Hermès.
In 2019, Geri Hooks and Hooks-Epstein Galleries commissioned art historian/author Susie Kalil to write a major book about the life and art of Kermit Oliver. "Kermit Oliver: An Enduring Spirit" is currently in development and will be published by Texas A&M University Press.
