Supporting and celebrating Black artists in America.
BY EVAN CAIN
VICE-PRESIDENT/ CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF/ ARTS AND CULTURE HEAD
Image by Barbara Jones-Hogu.
The QuaranTimes denounces the unfair death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and its tragic and avoidable consequences. We stand in solidarity with the Floyd Family, protestors, and all affected by this senseless act of violence. Click here for resources to help.
The Movement
The Black Lives Matter movement is an international human rights movement created originally by the African American community in 2013 but is now supported by communities worldwide. Its mission is to end state-sanctioned violence, end white supremacy forever, and liberate Black people everywhere. While the issue of police brutality has been a key focus throughout the movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, the violent murder of an innocent, unarmed Black man named George Floyd, who showed no restraint to police orders on May 25, 2020, ramped up the stigma surrounding this topic. Security footage and other video witnesses show that Floyd was pulled out of his car, handcuffed, and pinned to the ground under the knee of Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, leading him to his last words: “I can’t breathe.” The video went viral on social media platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter this past week, raising awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement and urging people of all communities to speak up and use their voices for good. The media is filled with resources including organizations for donations, phone numbers to call, petitions to sign, and protests to attend to demand justice for the innocent Black lives that are being taken, as well as educational tools to help people understand the history behind Black liberation in America.
Pictured: Street Art by Dominican graffiti artist Jesus Cruz Artiles, outlining the last words of George Floyd.
The Black Arts Movement was a short, yet essential movement that lasted from 1965 to 1975 and allowed African Americans to express their voices and political activism in the mass media. The movement began with a determined, politically motivated group of Black artists, poets, dramatists, writers and musicians who fought for their work to be seen and appreciated. Some of the most exciting art came from this uphill battle, as well as a few of the first public funding organizations aimed to support various Black artists and art initiatives. Although the Black Arts Movement resulted in many advancements in the art community as well as left behind timeless and rich pieces of art, Black artists in the community, who are not afraid to speak audaciously and stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized based on race, religion and orientation, still do not receive the recognition they deserve. It is time for a change.
The Colour Line
Just as women have faced gender discrimination in the workforce due to the presence of "the glass ceiling,” an invisible barrier that prevents women from rising beyond a certain position in their careers, minorities face additional obstacles in their passions, careers, and livelihoods. White artists inherently have more patronage and a greater following due to the blatant racism engraved in the institutions of America. Art imitates life— issues in the world will be evident through the art itself as well as the way art is perceived by the public, which is exactly why the colour line is so prevalent in all forms of art today. Within the art world, the colour line represents yet another glass ceiling within the Black community. Black art continues to be ignored by many institutions due to the vestiges of slavery that remain in our country. The term “black art” still flows widely in America even though it is highly controversial. On one hand, some African American artists want to be recognized simply as American artists. On the other hand, some believe black art should be its own category, as it is widely recognized to be now. There are also others who believe that not all Black artists create black art or that not all black art comes from Black artists. While it is still seen as a degrading or dismissive term by some, black art ultimately allows a space for artists to share works that reflect the African American experience.
Before suggesting if the term “black art” is appropriate to use, there must be an understanding of what society has considered it to be. Is it art specifically from the African Diaspora? Is it different from art by white Americans or people of any other nationality? By labelling it, does it make space for African American artists in the larger world, or does it marginalize and degrade Black artists? Who is considered to be a Black artist and what is black art considered to be? Well, there is no one correct answer. When the term was originally introduced positively in America during the 1960s, as a result of the Black Arts Movement, a few famous African American artists that emerged were Robert S. Duncanson and Edward Mitchell Bannister. They produced works focused on portraits and landscapes, so to describe them as Black artists would be referring to their race, rather than their artwork. Henry Ossawa, another African American artist that emerged from the movement, produced paintings surrounding the lives of Black people in America, which is why he is considered a “black artist.” Before the 60s, many works from black artists were excluded from public exhibition spaces and many wanted to be recognized as American artists because their work was discredited or dismissed by society due to its title. The term “black art” was embraced during the Black Arts movement and is used to separate African American artists from the larger art world. “Black artists” are known to create art that speaks unapologetically of and to the African American experience.
Ways To Support
While the representation of Black artists in America has substantially increased since the 19th and 20th centuries, there is still work to be done. It is our job to continue to provide resources, educate ourselves, and use our voices to advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement. Below are a few of the many Black artists and art institutions you can celebrate and support from your own home.
BLACK ART IN AMERICA
BUYBLACKART.COM sells black art ranging from limited edition portraits to large and small garden art collectives. There are over 1,000 [expensive] works to explore and purchase.
Pictured 1: "Gilded Goddess" by Lavett Ballard.
Pictured 2: "Self/ Can't Breathe/ Redbone" by John Singletary.
SHEFUND
SHEFUND was created to support black women creatives affected by COVID-19. If you have the resources, this is a great support organization to donate to.
Pictured: The SHEFUND slogan.
SHOPPE BLACK
SHOPPE BLACK US is a source for all things Black-owned, globally. It is an amazing site to not only learn about and support Black artists but also all Black-owned companies around the world. Below are a few featured artists on this site:
Backtrack Vintage is a black-owned vintage clothing business that offers unique 90’s nostalgia.
Pictured: The owner of Backtrack Vintage, Eric Brown.
A few Black-owned face masks businesses include The Happy Mask Store, The Boxing Kitten, Beautiful Curly Me, Mujo Six, and many more! Not only will the purchases of these masks support Black artists in America, but it allows for all to adhere to the public safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Scent and Fire Candle Company is another Black-owned business that offers candle art!
Pictured: Monisha Edwards’ socially distant scented candle.
WE BUY BLACK
We Buy Black is a company that sells all kinds of black made items from children’s toys to art & collectibles to jewelry! A purchase from this site supports black artists and entrepreneurs around the world.
Pictured: “Afro” by unknown in Art & Collectibles.
NKOSSI BOUTIQUE
NKossi Boutique sells fine West African fashion, art, decor, and fabrics created by Jean Pierre.
Pictured: “Buy one, give one” face masks from Nkossi Boutique.
KUBITEES CLOTHING
Kubitees Clothing offers designs from Kubrat Salaam, an African American designer, who focuses on celebrating Blackness with t-shirts, sweatshirts and art pieces that read various uplifting phrases.
Pictured 1: Rooting For Everyone Black shirt by Kubrat.
Pictured 2: Ade Art Poster by Kubrat.
GNOD POP
GNODpop is a popular shop on Etsy, started by Nadira Simone, that sells all different kinds of [affordable] Black-culture art-prints and greeting cards.
Pictured: Friday Movie Classic Movie Poster. Pictured: Girlfriends TV Show Poster.
ALLEANNA HARRIS ART
Alleanna Harris Art is an art page on Etsy, created by New Jersey artists Alleanna Harris. She creates prints of people and pop culture.
Pictured: Living Single Art Print.
JXL POP
JXL POP is a Black-owned brand, created by Jasmine Deadmom, that sells lightweight statement jewelry! It is most famous for its POP earrings!
Pictured: Creator of JXL POP, Jasmine Deadmon.
Resources
“Supporting Black Artists and Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis.” BLACK ART IN AMERICA™, 29 Mar. 2020, https://www.blackartinamerica.com/index.php/2020/03/20/supporting-black-artists-and-businesses-during-covid-19-crisis/
“Arts and Culture.” Black Lives Matter, 31 May 2020, https://blacklivesmatter.com/arts-culture/
Moore, Jenni, et al. “Eight Black Artists Worth Following (and Supporting) On Etsy.” Portland Mercury, https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/02/28/26056242/eight-black-artists-worth-following-and-supporting-on-etsy
LaRocca, Lauren, and Ken Fletcher. “Black Artists Are Finally Receiving Recognition in The Mainstream Art World.” Baltimore Magazine, 25 Jan. 2019, https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/2018/9/5/black-artists-finally-receiving-recognition-in-mainstream-art-world
“Black Art: Ghettoizing Art or Creating Space?” BLACK ART IN AMERICA™, 9 Jan. 2020, https://www.blackartinamerica.com/index.php/2020/01/09/black-art-ghettoizing-art-or-creating-space/
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