ARH 3631

John Biggers (1924-2001)

career dominated by mural painting; watched Charles White paint Contribution of Negro to American Democracy in 1940s; early murals painted on walls of buildings have been destroyed; Like Lois Jones works that underscored shared interest in African design sensibilities, the black figure, and the continuing struggle for civil rights; works - The Rites of Passage; Washer Woman (1945); The Time of Ede, Nigeria; Ghananian Washerwomen

Willis (Bing) Davis (1937-)

ceramist, painter, graphic artist; transfers knowledge of one medium to another, views his art as reflection of community which spans to Africa and back to US; early 1970s has focused on african history and culture; extensive body of works; Ritual Box #2-expressive approach to building his containers; believes if he wants to say something badly enough he will find the necessary technique to say it.

Doyle Lane (1925-)

ceramist; work ranges from utilitarian earthenware and stoneware to clay paintings, murals; classical and simple; sense of intricacy through special glaze effects; glazes are sometimes matte and low-key and sometimes brilliant and intense; Untitled construction-rich textural through unusual glaze applications; Bud Vase-conforms to natural order of nature, delicate balance between clay and glaze.

Eugene Coles (1945-)

complex abstractions using combinations of geometric shapes and planes to project symbols and metaphoric meaning; The Theory of Pyramid-uses simple masses of color on a scale to express differences in depth and perception by varying combinations of color, texture, and value; current work is a departure from the surrealistic high-energy content that characterized his paintings of the 1970s; color and energy remain in current work, now chooses broad color-field shapes with more expressionistic, spontaneous effects for accents and counterpoints.

Malaika Favorite (1949)

confront problems that AA born generations before her encountered; believes being black and female provides her with understanding of suffering; used any materials available unable to afford traditional artist materials; The Flag Needs A Washing-canvas manipulation; strong interest in AA history & culture, women & their activities; believes men talk about themselves enough, women need to discuss who they are and where they wish to go in life.

P'lla Mills (1918-64)

constructions include welding rods, sheet metal, distinctive buildup of form, metal cut, forged and combined by use of oxyacetylene torch make rough texture or molded effect; Star of Bethlehem-explores semi-accidental effects Mary on donkey

Allie Anderson (1921-)

constructivist uses car bumpers as principal medium; Specter of River Rouge (1969); often has sensuous quality.

John Stevens (1935-)

like Fundi creates wood constructions but different in subject and style; Silver Saddle-additive sculpture that combines massive wooden components with metal, tar, enamel; expressionistic paint and surface texture.

Ben Hazard (1940- )

like Urbina works with sheet acrylic but handles form in different manner; assembling vacuum formed acrylic components in low relief; Modular Series II Sweet Dreams-simple in form, composed of several interlocking shapes, reflective surface; art teacher, sign painter, easel painter

Joanna Lee (1937-)

macrame beyond traditional role as fabric-making technique into jewelry design; macrame neck piece (1972) pg 243; effective use of a single type of knot, varying only in terms of direction.

Richard Mayhew (1924-)

method on unmixed color complements applied in juxtapositions that intensify the brightness of compositions; principally landscape painter; Meadow-concerned with effects of light as it falls on land, handling of light is sensitive and lyrical, aims for surface effects, dominance of nature, calm and peaceful.

Charles White (1918-1979)

painter, printmaker and charcoal artist recognized by his spiritual themes celebrating strength in the African American traditions, culture, and positive attitude in spite of prejudice and hardship; depicted idealized AA heroes and struggling masses; Five Great American Negroes - mural; Contribution of the Negro to American Democracy; Frederick Douglass; Memoriam

Al Hollingsworth (1928-2000)

painting and mixed-media; total sensory experience; assorted materials, wire hangers, fishbones, clotheslines, teeth, wood, cloth, glass in collages; Memorable Wall-involves graffiti common to his expression; early 1970s focused on only females; Mixed Dream-from the Subconscious Series combined physical, spiritual and subliminal to achieve considerable contrast and drama.

Oliver Jackson (1935-)

paints power-packed images; shapes and spaces express his energy and world permeated by imagination; conduit to speak to personal experiences; world without limits; expressionistic; luminous colors sometimes spilling onto one another; 1960s and 70s worked in a group of multi-disciplinary artists in St. Louis, MO influenced personal symbols present in current work; special interest in jazz music; Untitled

Noah Purifoy (1917-)

participant of 66 Sings of Neon, untitled construction (1970); Sir Watts (1966)-used found objects from riots; commemorates the struggles of a people in battle.

The WPA Period

resurgence of participation by AA artists in mainstream American life, formal training in teaching or community service, weavers, graphic artists, photographers, architects, unlike modernists of the time, most representational artists did not work for themselves but devoted art to social and human needs, feeling a need to influence and affect thoughts and behavior of other AA, created for AA rather than white critics, used art forms to describe significant individual and group experiences that would later contribute to the reemergence of ethnic consciousness in 1960s.

Fred Eversley (1941-)

sculptures largely from resin, ranging from opacity to complete transparency; Oblique Prism II (1969)-subtle transparent colors intensify as body of piece thickens; trained as engineer; pre-determines accidents that unite form, harmonious interplay and sensual fluidity.

Ed Love (1936-99)

sculptures recall powerful African deities; Osiris-from Monster Series #3; projects strength and power of Egyptian deity who rules the dead.

Floyd Coleman (1937-)

works prior to 1970 are devoid of representational elements ex: Yellow Square, lively color and calligraphic; Recent style less painterly and more graphic, incorporates patterns, advancing and receding planes, color as undertone, cross-hatched lines & textured surfaces; Visited Africa in 1971 resulted in changes in subject matter and style ex: Africa Series, assembled in quilt-like fashion, replaced gestural, expressionistic marking typical of former style; later works balance loss of intense color with increase in textural complexity.

Raymond Saunders (1934 - )

works reflect marriage of figurative, geometric, and calligraphic styles; works in a variety of media, primarily known for his painting which incorporates collage, assemblage, and drawing, occasionally crossing over into sculpture and installation; 1967 pamphlet "Black is a Color" argues that AA artists need not be limited by racial representations, argues against the concept of "black" art as a potentially degrading restriction in favor of a more race-neutral approach to artistic creation; works-Page from an African Notebook (1970); Jack Johnson (1971)

Ron Griffin (1938-)

2 and 3 dimensional constructions, Bound Figure-combination of shaped canvas and sculpture; wrappings imparts feeling of terror and gives anonymity to the figure.

Thomas Miller (1945-2000)

20 yr as elementary teacher in Baltimore contributed high level of creativity; combined and altered shapes and forms to where new identities were formed; experimental approaches, Smiling Face-symbol of time; following years as easel began painting on used furniture, enabled 3 dimensional composition, exciting painted sculptures; Boxer-he considered the juxtaposition of black and bright colors as symbolic of Africa and people of African descent.

Eldzier Cortor (1916)

An African-American artist and printmaker who typically featured elongated nude figures in intimate settings, influenced by both traditional African art and European surrealism; Room series meant to express overcrowded conditions poverty, Room No. V; later ex is Classical Study #34 - meditating head, abandons surrealistic symbolism and concentrated on mood of subject, tribute to AA woman.

Mel Edwards (1937-)

An American Sculptor whose works, characterized by the use of straight-edged triangular and rectilinear forms; often have a political content; A Necessary Angle; Gate of Ogun; Southern Sunrise

Varnette Honeywood (1950-)

LA artist; experiences in South as student at Spelman College in Atlanta; genre painter reminiscent of early Archibald Motley; Gossips in the Sanctuary - social implication of gossip, first feelings of dignity and work within church free to dream, hope and show human instincts even gossip.

Daniel LaRue Johnson (1938)

Big Red-symbolic geometric red matte treatment black collage of discarded items; represents a transitional stage between black constructions of early 1960s and recent painted sculptures.

Bertrand Phillips (1938-)

Chicago painter and graphic artist; work projects anger over broken promises of the flag; Stars, Bars, and Bones-intense reaction to death & destruction under the guise of patriotism; dynamic artist; dedicated to freedom and liberation of humanity.

Bernie Casey (1939)

Colorist with strong sense of design; uses geometric shapes with subtle color changes; Orbital Moonscape; born West Virginia, educated Ohio; feels life experiences are memory bank that contributes to one's creativity; work generally reflects universal values; what color is kindness?

Emilio Cruz (1938-) -

Like Bob Thompson orchestrates an art of imagination and fantasy; Figure Composition-typical style, highly decorative, startling work; 1957 visits Provicetown met Bob Thompson at Massachusetts art colony studying with Song Moy and John Frank; Thompson invited this artist to Louisville to share studio; this period each artist style of painting combined blend of figurative and abstract forms; this artist's style has fluctuated between abstract and figurative tendencies, later work Straited Voodoo combines two-achieves unique design and cultural awareness.

Charles Alston (1907-77)

Muralist; Jacob Lawrence took lessons from while he was a youth in Harlem at the Utopia Children House and Harlem Art Workshop; He Studied with sculptor Augusta Savage; Most of his studies were at 135th branch of the New York Public Library; His art expression of human condition response to injustice and indignities; obligation to aid in the fulfillment of the american dream; Early figurative Cubist style, ex: Magic and Medicine, shared commission with Hale Woodruff adjacent murals AA settlers in the founding of CA - Exploration and Colonization(1949)

Hughie Lee-Smith (1915-99)

Narrative artist who creates elongated figures clothed like dancers in a surreal landscape. Artist and teacher;painted lonely urban ghettos, Cleveland, as teenager studied at famous Karamu House a community center with exceptional art program, grad HS with several scholarships to earn BA of science, Slum Song 1962 - suggests music as weapon against fears, loneliness in midst of many, poverty in midst of prosperity.

Jacob Lawrence (1927-2000)

Painter chronicled the experiences of the Great Migration north; probably best-known, most published and most influential AA artist, humble man of great personal stature; series Migration of the Negro

Sam Gilliam (1933-)

Painter; work bridges gap between painting, sculpture and environmental happenings; prominence mid 1960s; used flexible foundations and unsupported canvas;1st outdoor painting Seahorse; A Module for the Wind; Color-field, Abstract Expressionism; Hard-edge in a sculptural format; individualist.

Elizabeth Catlett (1915-)

Sculptor and printmaker whose art focused on women and their life stages; strong academic background; early involvement in Civil Rights movement both as student and teacher; works - Pensive, Negro Es Bello, Malcolm Speaks for Us was part of AA heroes series

Martin Puryear (1941-)

Sculptor continuing surrealist tradition; Swedish and Japanese feel; wanted to be judged only as an artist; Untitled (1989)-painted red cedar; numerous techniques learned from travels to Africa, Asia, and Scandinavia; Maroon-sculpture opposite his normal graceful and flowing forms that are common to his work, textured enlarged kidney shape with attached circular wooden shape with square opening

Sargent Johnson

Sculptor, Even though he lived on the West Coast he came to attention of Harmon Foundation in 1925; accomplished in ceramics and enamel' influenced by Mexican, pre Columbian and African artists; made numerous trips to Mexico between 1945-65; inspired by archaeological finds at Monte Alban and Mitla; Tea Pot-shows influence of folk art-most made on premises of the Paine-Mahoney Company manufacturer of industrial ceramic products in San Francisco; produced between 1947-67 over 100 enameled compositions.

Marion Sampler (1920-)

Skillful use of line; Chair- ink drawing provides ex of sensitive rendering of everyday objects; ink is principal medium, control and value gradation.

Leslie Price (1945-)

Surrealism most important influence; abstract form and romantic content; dreamlike portrayals; spiritualization primary goal; symbol of nature; hard-edged mathematical shapes; highly technical, mandalalike work; Purusa-uses nature as a silhouetted textural pattern, unreal atmosphere that combines abstraction and surrealism.

Manuel Hughes (1938-)

The Chitlin Eater (1970), partially unfurled flag appears a burden.

Betye Saar (1926-

Visionary/contemporary artist; trash/old things and turns them into art; Eshu(The Trickster)-African tradition for roots buried in centuries of separation, Nine Mojo Secrets-references to astrology and religion; late 1960s collected derogatory commercial images of AA to expose the racism they conveyed; Liberation of Aunt Jemima-transformed into a gun carrying warrior, collage of pancake flour labels act as background; aid in liberation of Aunt Jermimas and Uncle Toms.

Barbara Chase-Riboud (1936- )

better known in Europe than US; extensive academic background; skillful use of a combination of materials and techniques; sculptures demonstrate the traditional lost-wax technique and include braided-, knotted-, and wrapped-fiber areas that recall weaving and fabric arts; She #1-long, wrapped cords emanate from the triangular form; Beautiful example of contrasts - in materials and in the projection of ideas.

Marie Johnson (1920- )

painted constructions that are striking in form, color, and texture; cut out figures of people she has known; two dimentional; variety of materials most old wood and clothing; Papa, The Reverend pg 205-detailed features in relief, lifelike quality

Adrienne W Hoard (1949-)

brilliant colors; myriad abstract forms, shapes; visual experiences of travels North Africa, Spain and Korea; early interest in portrait painting, progressively moved from figurative to more abstract style while at Univ of MI; she found non-object art or abstract art greater expression of emotions; strong interest in color and abstractions; respect for nature, fulbright-hayes lecturer to Korea 1980-1981, ford foundation grant 1985-1986; Le Phoenix (1988); dedicated teacher; research is primarily in psychology of aesthetics.

Pheoris West (1950-)

art closely allied to the expression of his ancestors; physical and spiritual life of Africans and people of African descent; capture vibrations, feelings, and images in unique and personal way; basic structure features principles of design in mask-making and sculpture in the round; figurative artist combines different stylistic tendencies in single composition; Two Sisters - African and AA presence evident.

Benny Andrews (1930)

art uniquely his own; evolves from deep concern for victims of society; art that will call attention to social evils viewer will resolve; representational style that avoids modeling form; creating bulk by suggestion of lines and voids-Put Up (1971); Untitled (1970); oil technique committed to social protest art-Black (1971)

Dana Chandler (1941 - )

artist known for modern figure, non objective and mural painting; sees role as political reporter and cultural historian for AA people; 4(00) More Years-people trapped behind bars of flag, symbol of repression and genocidal practices; art is propaganda to reshape values of AA; Household Weapons: Turpentine, Bullets, Salt, Pepper (1975) from Revolutionary Still Life series;"necessary tools for survival in land determined to exterminate us"

Cliff Joseph (1927 - )

believes power of art belongs to the people; pictorial concerns racism, war, and sexism; feels his art is a confrontation; flags (late 1960s used flags against institutional racism); My Country Right or Wrong (1968), dipicts flag as source of blindness.

Vincent Smith (1929-)

best known as painter but also drawing and printmaking; developed art in 50s when AA were not accepted as legitimate artists; saw himself as young pioneer; numerous trips to Africa to establish firm cultural base and ancient traditions, Queen of the Nile-commemorates passages of life and time with sacred mother birth and rebirth of life; This One's for Doc-group of figures on playground with faces african masks, broken doll symbolize failure of players to overcome and win in bleek environment

Edward Bereal (1937-)

creates assemblages from an unusual assortment of materials; Stuka Ju 87-combination of sheet metal, paint, valves, decals, and nails; lead the viewer a mass-produced object of destruction.

Bob Thompson (1937-1966)

died Rome at 29; figurative painter known for his bold and colorful canvases, whose compositions were appropriated from the Old Masters; concerned with his inner feelings rather than objective form; 1961-63 traveled Europe studying Western painters of classical tradition; preoccupied with good and evil; Maidens- intense drive and resourceful imagination to catch glimpses of life's meaning.

Allen Fannin (1939-)

hand-spins yarns to make expressive weavings; hand-spun wool, flax, rayon, and monofilament line; 3 dimensional; much in common with Minimal painting and sculpture; untitled construction (1969); among 1st to create sculptural woven forms, work never gained acceptance within contemporary craft community or general public, ceased weaving as art form and in 1971 expanded into the production for retail

Phoebe Beasley (1943 - )

distinguished for oil and tissue paper collages; incorporates paint, tissue paper, cloth, & other objects; her special interest to express experiences in lives of ordinary daily activities that go unnoticed, universality, living alone, being poor, getting old; Important Papers (1985)-demonstrates astute handling of figure-field relationships; relief collages involve increased number of objects added dimension ex: Zora and Langston; use of clear acrylic as foundation for different materials applied to front and back of composition, with aid of backlight stained glass quality is achieved-105 Count Down #1

James Lawrence (1947-)

drawing distinguished by imaginative quality; Growth of a Child-combines realism with distortions of pictorial space.

Arthur Monroe (1935-)

drawings expressionistic; energetic, semiautomatic strokes; blending of drawing and painting; Self-Portrait-apply ink range from wet to dry brush; brushstrokes vary from long to short and from thick to thin; exciting graphic portrayal; significant insight into personality of artist.

William Pajaud (1925-)

dynamic forms; source early life in South and later experiences of urban West; Solid as a Rock-expression of AA life on bayou, mixture of sensitivity and physical strength essence of endurance, expressionistic handling of subject through surface texture rather than colors or action of figure; member of National Watercolor Society; master of watercolors; Twenty-third Psalm 1981; Destruction by the Assyrian

Larry Urbina (1943-)

employs additive method with plexiglass-Pink Fluorescent-cubic form; color and spatial relationships between planes vary with viewing angle.

John Outterbridge (1933-)

enthusiastic exponent of junk art, Shoeshine Box-is a personal icon of his past remembrances; use of highly polished reflective surface; exhibits interesting chromatic and textural qualities; etched and engraved end panel; organic fiber shoeshine brush.

Herman ("Kofi") Bailey (1931-1981)

exemplifies new dimensions of AA art; associated with W.E.B. DuBois, Kwame Nkrumah, & Martin Luther King, Jr; best known for use of conte (graphite and clay) and charcoal drawings reflecting the AA experience; color secondary factor in his work, Hausa Boy; Birth - symbolism and realism characteristic of his style; Unity - mixed media painting

Arthur Carraway (1927-1994)

experienced merchant seaman; spent time in several regions of Africa which impacted his art (others mostly west africa); he said Makonde sculpture different forms and ideas began to take shape in his mind led to new positive approach to painting; Fetish Form Series II - figure which vibrations appear to flow.

Bill Maxwell (1934)

experimented with most textures possible for clay pottery; forms include organic icons-African Past; most works are hand-built but some are hand-built and wheel-thrown sections; Jomo #1-slab construction method - clay often decorated with stamping; Double-Spouted Weed Pot-slab construction, a monumental edifice covered with sandy debris.

Joe Overstreet (1933-)

experimented with suspended painted canvases, suggesting both painting and sculpture; Gemini IV (1971)-dramatic relationship between shape and space; earlier success as expressionist painter; recent work has returned to traditional boundaries, canvas and oil with various unconventional methods of application and tools (applying paint with palette knife); tactile surfaces in paintings; For Buddy Bolden from Storyville Series - based on life in old New Orleans.

Juan Logan (1946-)

explores linear space in sculpture; Woman Reaching Out-3 dimensional drawing which contours serves to define voids transforming them into meaningful shapes; Growth Process-uses repetitive curvilinear steel forms to explore aspects of growth; gives tangible qualities to abstract ideas based on non-figurative style; expression of volume by means of modern industrial material.

Faith Ringgold (1934-)

feminist artist uses art to explore issues associated with being an African American woman in contemporary America; After mother's death she created a quilt but the work is political as well as personal; since 1967 using black-light painting style which abandons traditional lights and darks - value scale, in favor of contrast based on intensity scale; uses black as a symbol of humanity; Die - tension of ethnic struggle and violence; involved in struggle for equality for women; feels most profound her "women's art"; Aunts Edith and Bessie, from her Family of Women series.

Marvin Harden (1935-)

outstanding draftsman; relates images of animal and plant life by combining visual symbols of contrasting dimension; introduces concepts of photographic realism and clean simplicity; ritual of consumption, illusion, share and salient flaw pg 245.

Louis Delsarte (1944-)

illusionistic and seductive pictorial compositions; also expert draftsman; individualistic style; recalls subjects from AA past and contemporary urban life; Midnight Dance-gaiety of time when Harlem was cultural Mecca of AA world; Illusions of Vanity-complex work, enormous organizational skills, sensuous and dramatic tendencies

Camille Billops (1934-)

imposing combinations of wheel-thrown and hand-built forms; Three-Headed Fountain-terra cotta, several wheel thrown forms joined to several hand built ones; work reflects the influence of travels to Egypt, India Japan, China; influence of Japanese and Egyptian cultures seen in ceramic vessels; combines variety of techniques; ceramist, sculptor, printmaker, photographer, film-maker.

Reginald Gammon (1921)

interest in AA past, often figures of dramatic impact on history; Scottsboro Mothers (1970)-grief laden figures strength, unity brings strength even to seemingly helpless, Freedom Now (1965)-spirit of the 1960s, oppressed become seekers of freedom; The Young Jack Johnson, emotional impact, powerful capable of standing against challengers.

Mahler Ryder (1937-1992)

jazz related art; philosophy that arts have inter-relationship with complementary element at every level; Jazz related art includes series of media collages tribute to notable such as B. B. King; this artist's collages are intricate two dimensional construction, organized for rhythmic juxtaposition, expressive nature of jazz arrangements; George Benson; Sister Tharp

Manuel Gomez (1948-)

more commonplace materials; pendants and combs; Wooden Natural Comb (1971)

Richard Hunt (1935-)

one of America's leading direct-metal sculptors; strong influence was Julio Gonzalex (1879-1942) who worked in Paris in 1930 and 1st to devise welded iron sculptures; untitled construction(1964)-organic element; Why? -1st large scale bronze sculpture on display at Univ of Chicago and Univ of Ca; one of the most sought after sculptors in US; known for public works; since 1967 has installed over 50 outdoor sculptures; uses fabrication process of cutting, shaping, welding sheets of stainless steel together for public pieces; sees different metals as palette; Active Hybrid I-Century City Plaza, LA CA, clear demonstration of this artist's philosophy of art.

Art Smith (1923-1982)

one of Greenwich Village's 1st creative jewelry makers; combines sterling silver and semi-precious stones; last four decades progressively more delicate, simple, unobtrusive, earrings pg 237.

Doyle Foreman (1933-)

one of few AA who create almost exclusively in bronze; Corner-African references, was translated from wax into permanent material; opposition of high and low relief designs decorating the surface form a complex and uncommon relationship.

Phillip Lindsay Mason (1939-)

personal painting style based on unique use of color; content ranges from love and fertility to social and political; The Deathmakers-accusing fingers for assassination of Malcolm X; Woman as Body Spirit of Cosmic Woman- mood of serenity and meditation, tribute to AA womanhood.

Bob Jefferson (1943-)

personalized technique in jewelry creations; delicate explorations of space; influence of training in furniture design and welded-steel sculpture; pendant (1968)

Ibibio Fundi (1929-)

provocative constructions using wooden blocks and industrial forms; Wooden Sketch for a Possible Non-Functioning Machine-chair, table legs, wooden disks, laminated shapes, achieves unity through basic color application.

Therman Statom (1953-)

rarity in AA artists; uses glass as principle medium; least predictable and unique artists in field; benefited from Harvey Littleton and Domenick Labino who developed glass as a medium for studio artists; Green Ladder-dichotomy between work and play; Brody Arts Foundation Grant to design windows in abandoned building in urban LA.

William Henderson (1943-)

recently changed artistic focus; early work-Non Violent-concerned with emotional subjects social and political; Home -highly personal expressions, loose, geometric forms suggest otherworldly existence; both early and late styles represent extreme in world of reality.

Ademola Olugebefola (1941 - )

reflects the spirit of artists who hold strong visual and spiritual ties to Africa; Born St Thomas, Virgin Islands migrated to NY City; 1964 joined 20th Century Creators, philosophy: African American Art - for African American People; His concept of racial power is reflected in Shango - mystical construction of Yoruba - God of lightning, thunder and justice.

David Driskell (1931 - )

renowned painter and collector of art; leading authority on the subject of AA art and the black artist in American society; artist, art historian, authority on AA art, and scholar, served as visiting prof at the Institute of African Studies Univ of Ife, Ile Ife, Nigeria; Influences of Africa experiences in Nok Honoring Walter (1972); Shango Gone, earlier work - Gabriel

Norman Lewis (1909-1979)

social realist style; differs from others as it is more poetic and reserved; mid 1960s member of the Spiral Group - organization of artists committed to documenting the essence of Civil Rights movement, Processional - black and white unity of marchers; while teacher at NY Art Students League in 1971 this artist worked with Ernie Crichlow and Romare Bearden in founding Cinque Gallery; Ovum; Yellow Hat

Douglas Phillips (1922-)

stained-glass murals; light murals; unencumbered by medieval methods and forms common to revival; created stained-glass window compatible with contemporary architecture; window for the First Congregational Church in Painesville, OH-suggest humans striving for greater worlds.

Paul Keene (1920-)

strong traditional education, Philadelphia Museum School of Art, Tyler School of Arts, Academie Julien, & Temple Univ; master colorist with fine sense of design; concentrated on themes of AA life; From Root Man Series #2 which feature subjects related to voodoo -The Cabinet of Doctor Buzzard (1968); Death Calls on the Root Man (1969); Garden of Shango-inspired by Yoruba deity.

Curtis Tucker (1939-1992)

strongly spiritual; The Feather is Still Strong-gives insight into special symbols combinations of old and new techniques; extensive knowledge of science and art; appreciation for earth from grandfather's farm, Africa, Europe, and Caribbean; how different cultures respond to their land

John Riddle (1933-2002)

student of plant forms; metallic art conveys a feeling of life and growth; humanistic values from materials designed to serve a mechanized world; carry social messages; Construction-reflects interest in AA; demonstrates capacity to create work in which form subtly takes precedence over subject matter.

Floyd Newsum (1959-)

theme of woman; presenting them as free spirits; women as boundless humans; symbols for a larger embodiment of humanity; Gathering at Blue Waters-liberation of spirit, leaves domestic chores and earthly life behind; the mountaintop.

Irene Clark (1927)

traditional Caribbean folklore as subjects; Rolling Calf-Jamacian folktale of restless spirit reveals itself as an animal that broke its tether; normal size of images abandoned.

John Wilson (1922-)

works are representative of social consciousness in art; particular admiration for Mexican muralists; Incident - 1 of 1st fresco murals painted in suburbs of Mexico City in 1952; Roz - a pastel and charcoal drawing of deeply pensive figure shows classical aspect of his style; Trabajadores - colorful composition use of primary colors.

Frank Williams (1959)

unusual world in landscapes and figurative paintings; emotional intensity; moves viewers into psychological, emotional, intellectual realities, avoiding academic concepts and traditional relationships; Environment-uses unnatural forms and colors to heighten drama in nature; uses color arbitrarily in landscape and figurative composition; City Life-combines two disparate tendencies, external & internal for compelling psychological dimensions.

Romare Bearden (1911-1988)

used collages to show expression; interest of jazz and communication; accused Harmon officials of patronizing mediocrity; with Norman Lewis founded Spiral Group, group originally planned to limit their palettes to black and white; works-The Prevalence of Ritual: Tidings; Prevalence of Ritual: Baptism; Memories, No 2; Island Woman

Calvin Jones (1934-)

uses bold designs and vibrant colors to address issues of identity and culture; muralist, easel painter, commercial artist; combination of forms range from objective documentation to non-objective spontaneity; Maskamorphosis I-combines 2 stylistic extremes, uses symbolic shapes to form dramatic masks, intersecting planes reminiscent of African textiles; cultural and traditional imagery; past co-exist with present; symbols reflect aspects of forces that connect and make us one.

John Scott (1940-)

uses cast bronze; thin brass strips of wire and bent hardwood for sculptures; elements of African and Western traditions, blending two traditions to create unique style of his own; Moon Song-from Ritual of Oppression Series - symbolic figure in bondage; Since 1970s work has shifted from figurative style to abstract symbolic one; recent work reflects historic relationships of the survival and experiences of peoples; Just Two (Street Dancers)-of more recent kinetic works inspired by African diddley bow - an instrument which was used by hunters to express remorse for taking the life of an animal.

James Tatum (1954-)

uses elements of traditional ceramics and contemporary sculpture; uniquely personal approach and style; trained in painting and ceramics; inspiration for painting and ceramics rooted in African traditions; Oba-suited to house spirit of the king; Ancestral Drum-ceramic joins traditional and modern forms

David Bradford (1937-)

uses flag as symbol of social and political repression; Yes, LeRoi - associates flag with penal environment.

William Anderson (1932-)

uses wood for expressionistic sculptures; primarily a figurative artist; motivated by life in Selma to respond to political climate of civil rights era; figures with dignity, pride and self esteem, Solace; Minorty Man-strives to maintain character of materials; elevate ordinary person to strong, positive image of AA life devoted life to producing in service of human dignity and social justice.

Yvonne Tucker (1941 - )

views her work in clay as her centering point in life; South Side Community Art Center and classes at Art Institute of Chicago offered full range participation in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment; attracted to Japanese RaKu which roots in Zen Buddhism and emphasizes spontaneity and reverence for nature; worked with husband Curtis to fuse elements from Native American, African, and AA heritages to develop what they labled AFRO-Raku; Spirit Vessel, Mississippi Mud-work-has functional and spiritual values in keeping with this artist's philosophy of making the past a part of present.

Leo Twiggs (1934-)

views his batik not as textile art but as paintings, Window pg 241; devoted years developing technique to master this ancient art.

Evangeline Montgomery (1933-)

works primarily in metal, lost-wax cast boxes, & incense burners; Ancestor Box I, Justice for Angela-dominated by Ashanti symbol for justice in reference to Angela Davis represents tie between contemporary Black Americans and their African past; usually fusions of bronze, copper, gold, and silver combined with uncut stones or rock crystals; "crusty" jewelry convey sophisticated and evocative undulating movement; pendant pg 238.

Mikelle Fletcher (1945-)

visual expressions from both Africa and Americas, black madonna and child-Guardian (1971) - protected by Aunkh, jackal, African continent, black libertarian flag; she says in struggle for liberation AA artist play crucial role; 3Rs - Re-define, Re-educate, Re-direct.

Artis Lane (1927-)

winning awards for painting since 15 yrs old; favorite theme for sculpture is women emerging; subjects based on women in motion, in search of opportunities and self-determination; New Woman Emerging Woman, and Release; sculptures symbolic of modern woman's fragmented state of being; fine balance through the infusion of representational imagery with abstract elements

James Tanner (1941-)

worked in ceramics and glass distinguished in both; teaching career at Mankato Univ where he remains; worked with William Artis; later work focus entirely on ceramics, painted slab constructions less functional than earlier works but high levels of cultural consciousness; mask shapes - Old Ghost (1987)