Your art history post for today: by African American artist Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017), “Photo Bloke,” 2016, oil and acrylic on linen, 72 x 48 in., private collection. #arthistory #art #blackart #blackartist #blackartists

From Imani Wiliford, “The Iconoclastic Vision of Barkley L. Hendricks, Hyperallergic, February 11, 2025: ‘“I paint and make art because I like doing it,” the late Barkley L. Hendricks told this magazine in 2016, on occasion of his second solo show at Jack Shainman Gallery. “The subject matter I’m involved with, though, has always been seen as suspect, given the screwed-up culture we live in…. How many white artists get asked about how their whiteness plays into their work?”’

And another quote from the artist, from “BARKLEY L. HENDRICKS with Laila Pedro,” by Andrea Fraser with Thyrza Nichols Goodeve, The Brooklyn Rail, April 2016: “The art of painting is not only about putting paint down. I like to use the texture of the canvas as a vehicle to get the illusion that I’m interested in. People have always connected me with a political situation. I’m more about illusion. When you look at one of my paintings, you’ll see that there are glasses, or a shirt that looks like wool. I want that to be something that resonates with you first, rather than you trying to be connected with the unfortunate situation people of color face. There’s a script that’s been written, whether we like it or not. We’re all a part of it. What needs to happen is for artists to get up and get out of that headlock scenario—out of that script that’s been written that you had no control over.”

Your art history post for today: Girl in Pink Dress, ca. 1927, by African-American artist Laura Wheeler Waring (1887-1948), oil on canvas, 36 ¼ x 26 ¼ x 2 ¼ in, private collection. #arthistory #blackart #blackartists #womenartists #womanartist #womensart

From Elizabeth Lovsin in School Library Journal, Feb 01, 2020, her a review of the book “Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring,” by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Felicia Marshall: “Laura Wheeler Waring (1887–1948) combined colors to create the exact shades of brown that depicted the skin tones of the loved ones she painted. Artistic representation during the time period Waring came of age was far from inclusive. Portraits of African Americans and artwork created by black artists were not welcomed into museums. Waring pursued her passion and was eventually commissioned to paint important African American people for a traveling exhibit that displayed her art in the Smithsonian and other museums. This biography succeeds by keeping its focus on Waring’s artistic journey. When discussing her portrait of singer Marian Anderson, Churnin forms an emotional link between these two women and spotlights the potential for their work to break barriers. The straightforward narrative allows young readers to connect with Waring as a person, recognize her dedication to her craft, and appreciate her accomplishments. The recurring theme of brown as a complex and beautiful color is an effective metaphor for the celebration of African American people and culture central to Waring’s work. Marshall’s painted illustrations are an artistic tribute rendered in the style of Waring’s paintings.”

[Grady Alexis was murdered by pigs on May 6th 1991.]

Birth of the Sun is a short documentary video about Grady Alexis and the East Village

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#blackmen #blackpeople #blackfrench #blackcaribbean #blackamerican #blackartists #police #whitepeople #whitedevil #blackhistory #blackmastodon

(Updated repost!)

Currently around 8% of the goal!

Yo, I'm Geeky Jay (or just Jay)!
I'm a black autistic person who's holding a goal to get my 1st custom desktop PC build + equipment for me to become a creator on the web. (Streaming, video prod., voice acting and more)

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"Study of a Student," Laura Wheeler Waring, c. 1940s.

Waring (1887-1948) was one of the great painters of the Harlem Renaissance, known for her deservedly famous portraits of figures such as singer Marian Anderson or author Jesse Redmon Fauset. Here we have a portrait of an unidentified woman, looking bored as anything. I feel for her!

The handling seems a bit clumsy, but this was only a study, something done in preparation for another painting, so one can't expect perfection from it. So many of her other portraits are detailed and realistic....but despite being basically a rough draft, it still has charm.

From the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia.

#Art #BlackArtists #WomenArtists #WomenInArt #Portraits #LauraWheelerWaring #HarlemRenaissance #PortraitMonday