Black History Month: Kerry James Marshall
Only two more days of Black History Month… so let’s make the most of them. Let’s talk about:
Kerry James Marshall is best known for painting Black people black — no brown or gold or red skin tones, just black (with a few dark gray highlights). I first encountered him in an art docuseries. Unlike some other artists in that episode, Marshall seemed so approachable even though he was clearly accomplished. I would imagine knowing him might be like having an old friend named Al, and then finding out later that you were besties with Albert Einstein.
It occurs to me that I like Marshall’s paintings for some of the same reasons I like the work of Amy Sherald. More specifically:
The way Marshall paints Black people is meant to focus the eye on the person rather than their skin color, or whatever associations Blackness might carry for the viewer
There’s a sense of stillness and harmony in his work, a kind of visual representation of the flow state
Also, picking up the cultural references in his paintings is my favorite kind of Easter egg hunt.
Like Titus Kaphar, Marshall is a winner of the MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant; like Faith Ringgold, he has been named to the annual Time 100 List of influential people. Can’t wait to see what he does next. See you tomorrow for the final entry in my Black History Month series of inspiring artists…
Black History Month: Faith Ringgold
Today’s inspiring artist for Black History Month is hard to pin down, because she’s made significant work in so many media. Let’s talk about:
I think Faith Ringgold was the first Black artist I had ever heard my parents mention when I was a child, but that was it — only a mention. Later I thought she was “just“ a children’s book author who also made quilts. Wow, what an understatement. At various times in her life, Ringgold has been a painter, writer, mixed media sculptor, performance artist, and a public artist, as well as a narrative quilter.
Faith Ringgold, “Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles.” Photo credit: faithringgold.com
Oh yeah, and an anti-racist, feminist activist too. I could go on, but here are a few reasons I like her and her work:
The more-is-more aesthetic of her quilts, which are packed with text and paint on printed fabric
The variety of media in which she’s expressed herself
Her lack of interest in subtle messages — it’s all out there, especially if you look closely
Ringgold’s art is well-represented in prestigious museums like the Met, the Guggenheim, the Studio Museum of Harlem, and many more. If you’re in New York, you can also see her mosaics in the subway, at 125th Street. I’m not sure how active the artist is at this point — she turns 93 this year — but She has Lived a LIFE. Faith Ringgold doesn’t owe anyone anything.
More inspiring artists to come. See you tomorrow…
Black History Month: Dawn Okoro
Psst… I can’t hold onto this secret any longer. I found Black gold the other day. She’s another phenomenal artist who inspires me. Let’s talk about:
Gold leaf — lots of it — is the first thing you notice about Dawn Okoro’s recent work. Think “shining star” rather than “ancient religious art.” She draws inspiration from a female hip-hop artist who has “the ability to shine in an industry that marginalizes the contributions of women.”
The metaphor works just as well to describe visual artists. In a survey of 31 museums, an art industry analysis showed only .5% of their acquisitions were created by Black women. As the report noted, “The overall trend in terms of acquisitions is upward, but the numbers remain staggeringly small.“
Here are a couple reasons I’m attracted to Okoro’s work:
It’s joyful, in a era that rarely allows for moments of Black joy
The women she portrays are active participants in life, not ornaments or objects to be consumed.
Besides social media, you can also see Okoro’s work in season two of “Law and Order: Organized Crime,” in film, and previously on a brand of bottled water. I believe the sentiment that fits Okoro best is “It’s her world; we just live in it.”
More Black artist goodness tomorrow. See you then.