2026 Update: Frederick J. Brown
Summary
This episode follows reporter Arando Colón as he investigates a Frederick J. Brown painting found in a Brooklyn trash heap by Maya. The story explores Brown’s overlooked legacy as a Black artist and his struggle against art world gatekeepers. With help from Brown’s son, Bentley, and former Met curator Lowry Sims, the team verifies the work’s authenticity. Ultimately, the painting is donated to the Studio Museum in Harlem, securing its place in history.
Topics discussed
Intro: The mystery of the painting
Sponsorships: BetterHelp and Nissan Rogue
Promo: Dinners on Me and Mario Kart story
Maya finds a painting in the trash
Visiting Maya's art-filled apartment
Describing the visual style of Genesis 2
Returning to the Brooklyn trash heap
Clues on the back: Lowry Sims
Attempting to contact Lowry Sims
Sponsorship: Mint Mobile
Promo: Dinners on Me podcast
Authenticity confirmed by Bentley Brown
Meeting Bentley: The artist's son
Frederick Brown's life and career
The China retrospective and financial ruin
Reflections on the painting's fate
Sponsorship: Mint Mobile
Promo: Dinners on Me podcast
Interview with Lowry Sims: Her story
Lowry's connection to Brown and the art
How the painting ended up in the trash
Philosophy on art preservation
Donating the painting to the Studio Museum
Visiting the Studio Museum and updates
Outro, newsletter, and final sponsors
Listen ad-free on Castria