Listings of resources for African American art.
"The Beauty of the Ghetto"
This painting by Ernie Barnes was a significant contribution to the world of Black Art in the early 1970's.
"Strong Black Love"
This powerful illustration, painted by James Loveless, is a favorite to many. His artistic capabilities are very impressive.
"Blue Monday"
This painting by Annie Lee won international attention. Her unique style portrays African American life.
African American Expressions
America's leading gift and greeting card company that empowers groups in earning revenue for their community activities while sharing the beauty of our culture. America's Best Fundraiser!
www.black-gifts.com
African
American Museum of Philadelphia
The
first institution built by a major United States
city to house and interpret the life and artistic
contributions of African Americans.
www.aampmuseum.org
Afro-American
Cultural Center
Located
in Charlotte, the Center exists to present,
preserve and promote African American art, culture
and history for the education and enlightenment
of all.
www.aacc-charlotte.org
Andre
Guichard
The
work of Guichard, a black artist, was published
in African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond
The Daniel Texidor Parker Collection by
Daniel Texidor Parker, 2004.
www.artjaz.com/artists/guichard/index.html
Annie
Lee
This popular female artist uses acrylic paint
to create interesting images of African Americans
in their daily life habits. She began her professional
career as an artist at the age of 40, and has
become an international sensation.
www.annieleearts.com
Anthony
D. Lee
Lee
has been creatively influenced by the city's
culinary and musical atmosphere and the years
following the Civil Rights Movement.
www.artjaz.com/artists/anthonylee/index.html
Anyta
Thomas
Thomas'
artwork has been shown at exhibitions such as
the African American Art Museum in Philadelphia.
www.artjaz.com/artists/athomas/index.html
Arna
Bontemps African American Museum and Cultural
Arts Center
Their
mission is to further knowledge of the legacy
of Bontemps and to promote awareness of African
American history and culture through programs
in the humanities and arts.
www.arnabontempsmuseum.com
ArtJaz
Gallery
This
gallery, established in 1999, provides a venue
for exhibiting contemporary fine art by new
and emerging Artists of African descent.
www.artjaz.com
Association
of African American Museums (AAAM)
This association is a non-profit member
organization established to support African
and African American focused museums - nationally
and internationally. It is the premier organization
that represents such art museums, and others.
www.blackmuseums.org
Avisca.com
This site features a large selection of limited
edition and open edition prints and posters
by popular African American, African and Caribbean
artists.
www.avisca.com
Black
History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
The
museum's goal is to become a statewide resource
on the many facets of Black history through
exhibitions, discussions and celebrations.
www.blackhistorymuseum.org
Black
Art Depot
Based in Atlanta, this company's goal is to
be the number one supplier of african-american
art, gifts and collectibles in the Southeast.
They donate 5% of all profits to a deserving
charity within the community.
www.blackartdepot.com
Buchi
Upjohn Aghaji
Aghaji,
born in Nigeria, expresses his art through a
variety of media including oil, watercolor and
acrylic on cold-pressed paper, canvas, burlap,
wood and pottery.
www.artjaz.com/artists/aghaji/index.html
California
African American Museum
The
museum's mission is to research, collect, preserve
and interpret for public enrichment, the history,
art and culture of African Americans.
www.caamuseum.org
Calvin
Coleman
The
messages that Coleman's works relay are global
as he strongly believe that his spiritual beliefs
are global and has the power to transcend cultural,
ethnic and national barriers.
www.artjaz.com/artists/coleman/index.html
Charly
Palmer
Charley
Palmer has his artwork displayed at art galleries
all over the United States and has received
multiple awards and commissions.
www.artjaz.com/artists/palmer/index.html
Chattanooga
African American Museum
The
museum is a source of curricula, historical
references, creative works and media about the
African American experience.
www.caamhistory.com
Cynthelia
L. Cephas
The interest of Cephas, a quilter,
was ignited when she became a member of the
Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild of New Jersey
and her hobby developed into a small business,
C. C. Quilts.
www.artjaz.com/artists/cephas/index.html
Dane
Tilghman
Tilgman
has established himself as one of the premier
painters of African American Golf Art and Negro
League Baseball images.
www.artjaz.com/artists/tilghman/index.html
Diana
Shannon Young
Diana's
artwork of vibrant hues has been shown at exhibitions
all over the country. He work was even commissioned
by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
in 2004.
www.artjaz.com/artists/shannonYoung/index.html
Ernani
Silva
Born
and raised in Rio de Janeiro, this Black artist
has developed a distinctive style that contains
abstract, Brazilian and African elements, laced
with rich and vibrant color.
www.artjaz.com/artists/silva/index.html
Felicia
Grant-Preston
This
Black artist feels her work is a "reflection
of deep spirituality, her identity as a black
woman and her love of color." Her work
is very popular, and highly-respected in the
industry.
www.artjaz.com/artists/grant-preston/index.html
Gale
Fulton-Ross
The
art work of Gale Fulton-Ross can be seen at
the American Museum of African American Artists
in Boston and the California Museum of African
American Art - among other places.
www.artjaz.com/artists/ross/index.html
George
Nock
Nock,
a former runningback for the New York Jets and
the Washington Redskins, has created artwork
that has been exhibited all over the United
States.
www.artjaz.com/artists/nock/index.html
Jackson
Collins
Collins'
style is inspired by the trials and triumphs
of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Muhammed
Ali, and documents history through a unique
cultural perspective.
www.artjaz.com/artists/collins/index.html
JFest
An annual program produced by the Cotton Club
Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville, Florida.
The program runs an annual competition for Black
artists from all around the world. The event
celebrates African cultural heritage with fine,
and folk arts.
www.cce.ufl.edu/JFest/index.html
Jose
Sebourne
In
2004. Jose was the recipient of the African
American Visual Artist Master Artist Award for
the Tri-State Area.
www.josesebourne.com
Katherine
Kisa
Born
in Kenya, this well-known African artist has
earned many awards and has her artwork shown
in numerous exhibitions in the United States.
www.artjaz.com/artists/kisa/index.html
Kimmy
Cantrell
Cantrell
uses ceramic sculpture as her art platform and
has her sculptures have been exhibited at New
York's prestigious National Black Fine Art Show
and International Art Expo.
www.artjaz.com/artists/kimmy/index.html
Lois
Mailou Jones
For
more than fifty years, Lois Mailou Jones has
enjoyed a consistently successful career as
a painter, teacher, book illustrator, and textile
designer until her death in 1998.
www.octobergallery.com/artists/jones.htm
Moe
Brooker
Moe
teaches two-dimensional design and painting
at Moore College of Art and Design, the nation's
first and only women's college devoted to the
visual arts.
www.artnet.com/artist/3117/moe-brooker.html
National
Museum of African Art
This
nationally-recognized museum fosters the discovery
and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa.
It features art from various countries - including
Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa.
www.africa.si.edu
Oggi
Ogburn
Oggi
is touted as a celebrity photographer due to
his unique ability to capture a backstage perspective
through his lens – often of the moments
not captured by those documenting the music
scene.
www.oginet.com/Oggi
Paul
S. Benjamin
Benjamin
primarily uses collage and acrylic paints, and
he was published in Daniel Texidor Parker's
book "African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond."
www.artjaz.com/artists/benjamin/index.html
Richard
Watson
Watson's
work can be identified by themes, which infuse
some element of the African American experience:
landscapes, contemporary women, and works which
allow Watson to form a dialogue with his ancestors.
www.artjaz.com/artists/watson/index.html
Tubman
Museum
The
museum's mission is to educate people about
African American art, history and culture and
to promote harmony among all races.
www.tubmanmuseum.com
US
Black Art
Launched in 1997, this company sells African
American art and works to develop and promote
new and original art work by a rich and diverse
group of young artists.
www.usblackart.com
What
Is Black Art?
Black
art is the products of creativity produced by Carribeans,
Africans, and African Americans. This can include
paintings, drawings, sculptures, crafting, photography,
dance and even graphic design. It can also
include animation and film. Black art has grown to
be extremely popular in many countries because of
its unique and original contributions to the world
of art.
Such art is kept alive in many daily and weekly newspapers in the United States. Popular cartoonists such as Keef Knight (Kchronicles), Aaron McGruder (Boondocks), and Jerry Craft (Mama's Boyz) have their work featured regularly in publications read nationally and internationally. Their style of drawing and comedy stands out quite a bit from that of other cartoonists.
Who
Are Some Popular Black Artists?
Ernie Barnes was undoubtedly one of the
first African American artists to be come popular.
He is best known as the father and creator of the
Neo-Mannerist style. His art was regularly showcased
on Good Times and The Cosby Show.
To this day, his art is heavily recognized by art
enthusiasts and is displayed in many museums. In
addition, many African Americans have his work on
display in their homes.
James
Loveless, a portrait artist, is probably one of
the most sought after artists. He has created two
and three-
dimensional designs for companies such as Pizza
Hut and Anheuser-Busch. He also designs wall murals,
post cards, flyers, brochures and calandars for
you and/or your company. He is best known for his
designs that portray Black love.
El Anatsui is an internationally-recognized artist from West Africa. His creativity is based on metal sculptures made from wood, tin, aluminum, and bottle caps. His work is inspired by ancient wisdom and customs of African culture, and has earned him prestigious awards and notoriety from the industry.
There is no shortage of Black female artists either. Tonya Engel, a contemporary self-taught painter, is known for her "igurative form mixed with the emotion and expressionistic boldness." Her designs depict domestic settings of children in curious game-play within rooms wall-papered with flowers. A deeper look, though, reveals adult-like figures within narrative worlds. Tonya and several other Black female artists were recognized at group exhibition called "Subjective Visions: Contemporary Art by African American Women" at the University of Texas in San Antonio.
How
Did Black Art Get Its Start?
Many
believe that black art began amongst talented West
Africans who often painted pictures about their
suffering. Their emphasis was alway on the human
figure, visual abstraction, sculpture, and performance
art. The earliest form of art was African rock art
created in the country of Niger.
Traditional art was then created, and is often what's seen in museums today. This type of art included wooden masks - made with ivory, animal hair, plants, gems, and more. It also included the design of statutes made from wood or ivory.
What exists today is mostly contemporary art. This is mainly paintings and drawings. Such work is contributed by African American and African artists, and displayed all over the world.