They are the famous African-American artists who’ve exquisitely shared portrayals of historic events and people, cultural views, and the experiences and struggles of minorities via their paintings. A lot of his artwork was stimulated by the writers, musicians, and artists of this cultural motion, in addition to by the road-corner orators who related episodes of black historical past that were not included in textbooks. Over the years, the present has come to incorporate African-American artists not from simply the region but from throughout the nation.
Because the $5-million GM middle was endowed in 2000 near the beginning of Beal’s directorship, and curator Valerie Mercer was hired to run it in 2001, the DIA hasn’t originated a single main special exhibition dedicated to African-American art, apart from a modest show of work by the Ethiopian-born, Michigan-raised Julie Mehretu.
Soutif’s exhibition may hardly be more timely: on 24 September, the National Museum of African American Historical past and Culture was inaugurated by President Obama in Washington DC, with galleries dedicated to art as well as historical objects.
The artist; 1992, with Josh Baer Gallery, New York; March, 1992, consigned from Josh Baer to Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago, 1992; by purchased to MFA, Boston, May 1992. So Matt says so. That’s when Arnett snaps and the shouting begins. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
Many thanks to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for offering me with the image above and other press supplies for, for a overview copy of the catalogue to, and for inviting me to the press preview for the exhibition Characterize: 200 Years of African American Artwork , which runs by April 5, 2015.