A visually appealing exhibit rich in culture and history will be on display from now until Feb. 27 at the HUB-Robeson Gallery.

The exhibit will showcase the works of sculptor Woodrow Nash and two-dimensional artist Eugene Grigsby.

"The work of Dr. Grigsby and Mr. Nash share a natural synergy, both drawing on the foundation of African and tribal cultures," Lauren Chyle, HUB Galleries publicist, said. "They each, in their own way, exhibit the influence of culture on the artist and the human condition."

Using a various combination of styles, Nash has created an array of very realistic busts and figures in a celebration of the beauty and unique nature of African culture.

"The term I use to describe my work is African Nouveau," Nash said. "It takes traditional African Imagery and symbolism and mixes it with 18th century nouveau and 15th century benign."

While the concept of the figures is essentially influenced by these two centuries, the images of the sculptures are African in general.

"The sculptures are decorative, but the ornamentation is not authentically African," Nash said.

Like Nash, Grigsby's work shows influence from afar as well.

In his piece, "Homage to Bolongongo," Grigsby uses the history and culture of the African Tribe, Kuba as the basis for the painting.

"Shamba Bolongongo was the 93rd king of the Kuba tribe in the 1600s," Grigsby said. "He was a patron of the arts and was known for having outlawed war within his kingdom."

The king had introduced a sculptor and a weaver into the kingdom and commissioned them to carve an image in wood of him so his people could perceive his beauty, Grigsby said.

"It was the beginning of the concept of black as beautiful," he said.

Grigsby draws on more recent events belonging to the African-American collective memory in his pieces.

This can be seen in some of his works, like "NoVacancy."

"It was inspired by my travels from Phoenix to New York during my studies for my doctorate," he said. "They wouldn't allow blacks in hotels during that time, so we couldn't find a place to stay."

It reminded him of the plight of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph were denied from the inn, Grigsby said.

While both Nash and Grigsby have their own styles and techniques in their artwork, both show a pervasive interest in African and African-American culture; a timely subject matter, considering today marks the beginning of Black History Month.

The reception for the exhibit is open to the public and will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Gallery.