BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION!

 

We looked at works by African American artists today in celebration of Black History Month. We started with a classical one, sculptor Edmonia Lewis’s The Death of Cleopatra from 1876. For 1876, this was a bit of a scandal. First, a woman sculptor displays a figure in the throes of death – this was unheard of at the time. Second, Edmonia was an African American artist, so it was also noteworthy & caused a stir. And third, her depiction is a beautiful figure with full bosom which for 1876 – was titillating (no pun intended!)

Top of the Day! The wonderful David Driskell who just passed away last year at the age of 88, sadly, of covid-19, was next in line. His collage painting Jazz Singer (Lady of Leisure, Fox) from 1974 is a pastiche of color & shapes, images like a painting on the side which caught Katherine’s eye, a jukebox as Beth suggested, and wonderful imagery of animals & African artistry. Driskell has soooo many beautiful pieces of art. It will be a joy to share those in future shows.

Brilliant Norman Lewis didn’t title this piece March on Washington when he painted it in 1965, but it’s become known under that title. He worked in so many different styles & forms, this is one of his most iconic. He was so good, contemporaries of his would ask, “Why aren’t you more famous?” Over the years, his work has grown in prominence and, of the many rich, textured, resonant pieces, this considered his masterpiece. The orange at the bottom and the top really hit us – is it the dust of ancestors stirring up with the millions of marchers? It is a symbol of power? A light from the sacral chakra, the power center, as Kiki suggested? Very powerful.

Contemporary artist, Mark Bradford used wet paper and a drip method to create this mixed media work entitled The Path to the River Belongs to Animals (2019.) We saw many animals, people and symbols amidst the abstract colors and shapes. Terry, whose painting this is, said she isn’t always moved by abstract art, but this glowing art made her want to make it a prominent part of her art collection! Mark works on huge canvases, often, and he wants his audience to imagine all kinds of images and ideas in the mix he creates.

David Hammons seminal work, the African-American Flag from 1990, evokes a robust feeling of two Americas. David felt the need to create a separate flag for the America in which he lives. Our national flag, a symbol we may see every day, represents an America for one set of people – so Hammons evens the playing field. Some day, we dream, the two flags will fly together so there is equity throughout our land. When it was exhibited by the Met it was placed next to one of Jasper Johns American flags & highlighted the need for representation & equality; it caused a lot of important conversations. We continue to dream.

• Edmonia Lewis, The Death of Cleopatra, 1867 -- link --
• Edmonia Lewis, The Death of Cleopatra -- link --
• Edmonia Lewis, The Death of Cleopatra -- link --
• David Driskell, Jazz Singer (Lady of Leisure, Fox), 1974 -- link --
• Norman Lewis, March on Washington, 1965 -- link --
• Mark Bradford, The Path to the River Belongs to Animals, 2019 -- link --
• David Hammons, African-American Flag, 1990 -- link --