text: Kermit Oliver’s masterfully executed paintings and drawings have earned him worldwide recognition as one of the finest contemporary American artists of our time. Oliver’s work is 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 September. This past spring, The Nave Museum (Victoria, TX) held a solo exhibition of selected works by Oliver. The Martin Museum of Art at Baylor University (Waco, TX) held an exhibition of his paintings and Hermès scarves in 2014. In 2013, Oliver received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art League Houston. Oliver’s work was the subject of a lifetime retrospective at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in 2005. His work was included in the 2001 international SITE SANTA FE biennial (NM), curated by art historian/critic Dave Hickey.An alumnus of Texas Southern University who was mentored by Professor and muralist, Dr. John Biggers, Oliver was honored this summer 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 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.