Artists of the Harlem Renaissance

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

As quoted from the National Gallery of Art, "The Harlem Renaissance was a period of rich cross-disciplinary artistic and cultural activity among African Americans between the end of World War I (1917) and the onset of the Great Depression and lead up to World War II (the 1930s)."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90PTxdsqfsA

Archibald J. Motley Jr.

October 7, 1891 - January 16, 1981

He was born in New Orleans and lived in Chicago.

He was one of the first African American students to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He worked as a painter and visual artist.

Some of his most famous works include: Gettin' Religion, Portrait of my Grandmother, and Self-Portrait.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GBsYfnvjr8o&feature=shares

His Art

Portrait of my Grandmother

Gettin' Religion

Self-Portrait

How He Changed Art

"Archibald was a master colorist and radical interpreter of urban culture." - Sarah Schroth

He made a lasting impact on art by making modern depictions of African American life, implementing the compression of space, and showing sensitivity to his subjects.

His paintings depicted the issues of racial injustice and sterotypes that plagued America sharply contrasting with the other artists of his day. He exhibited many complexities in his works.

Aaron Douglas

May 26, 1899 - February 2, 1979

He was born in Topeka, Kansas.

He attended

• Topeka High School

Later earned his Bachelor's degree of Fine Arts at

• University of Nebraska.

He worked as a teacher at Lincoln High School.

• 1 out of only 2 black teachers
• Led to him leaving to NY

Some of his most famous works include: Into Bondage and Judgement Day.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OEecAQQkGX8&feature=shares

His Art

Into Bondage

Judgement Day

How He Changed Art

Through his art, he was able to raise awareness about social issues African Americans were facing:

• He challenged the Work Progress Administration in 1930s
• To recognize African American artist
• Improve their opportunties
• He worked to increase Education/Career opportunites for African Americans
• To help the public understand what African Americans faced, such as
• Racism, unemployment, and poverty
• He is now remembered as the father of Black American Art
• He was the central figure of art being able to express African American culture, identity, and the struggles.

Faith Ringgold

October 8, 1930 - Present

She was born in Harlem, NY.

She attended New York City College

• She had to enroll in art education
• Graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art and Education

Art was a male profession at the time

She began teaching in public school and also studied for her Masters.

Some of her famous works include: Tar Beach, Echoes of Harlem, and Street Story Quilt.

Her Art

Echoes of Harlem

Tar Beach

Street Story Quilt

Her impact on Harelm Renaissance

• She created the American People Series.
• Became an activist for feminism and anti-racism.
• Cofunded Ad Hoc Women's Art and many more, which focused on issues women of color had to deal with.
• "Anyone Can Fly" spread awareness about African American art.
• Created community venues for education and expression.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Comf9SetjRA&feature=shares

Palmer Hayden

January 15,1890 - Febuary 18, 1973

His name at birth was Peyton Hedgeman. He was born in a small town in Virginia and moved to DC during his teen years.

He enlisted in the U.S Army's African American division and stayed for 9-10 years. During these years, he continued to draw and enhance his skills.

When he was discharged, he move to New York City and took courses at Colombia University to study drawings/art.

He then met Victor Perald and studied at Cooper Union with him then moved to Maine and studied at Boothbay Art Colony.

Some of his most famous works include: Midsummer Night in Harlem, Blues Singer, and Baptizing Day.

His Art

Baptizing Day

Midsummer Night in Harlem

Blues Singer

How He Changed Art

His works highlighted the turmoil and triumph of the African American experience. Some of his works were based on people he knew or admired such as, "The janitor who paints." They helped to bring to light the struggles of being taken serious as an artist and being able to provide for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9LbHgeMVTw

Prentiss Taylor

December 13, 1907 - October 7, 1991

He was born in Washington, D.C.

In 1931, he studied at New York Art Students League .

He became president of the Society of Washington Printmakers (1942).

In 1948, he was elected associate of the prestigious National Academy of Design.

One of his biggest projects was partnered with Langston Hughes.

Some of his other famous works include: Self-Reflection at the Museum of Modern Art, Orpheus - The Look Back, and The Bridge, Sunday.

His Art

Orpheus - The Look Back

The Bridge, Sunday.

Self Reflection at the Museum of Modern Art

His Impact on Art

His art work served a major role in the African American culture, the Harlem Renaissance, and the American regionalism:

• He helped create stories that had major influence
• Worked with Carl Van and Langston Hughes
• The Golden Stair
• He also was a master of the lithograph. As stated from Georgetown Univerity Library, "Prentiss Taylor explores and exploits all the textural possibilities of the lithographic stone with assurance, virtuosity, and authority, distilling the experiences of a man of great sensitivity, broad interests, and discriminating taste, who is concerned above all with man’s place in nature and time."

Sources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pCSMxee2b93ItZugqS7m3Gedvn9rkzujK9aEUacWVOg/edit

Sources