This large-scale oil painting by Louisiana artist Douglas Bourgeois depicts a diverse collection of nearly one hundred people on two levels of a graffiti-covered club interior. I love this painting because of the rich detail. Bourgeois, who is from St. Amant, Louisiana, represents people from every walk of life in this 1984 work. There are so many fine points about each individual that a viewer could easily make up a life story for each one.

Bourgeois’s paintings fall into the realm of magical realism and fantasy, often portraying musicians and other pop culture figures in fanciful scenarios and always chock full of exciting and interesting detail. Bourgeois is represented by Arthur Roger Gallery in New Orleans and was a participating artist in the recent Prospect 3 exhibition. He also designed the 2008 Irma Thomas Jazz Fest poster. Burning Orchid Nightclub was a gift to The Collection by UNO Professor Emeritus Jerah Johnson, a frequent donor of important African Americana.