Tag Archives: Afro american sculpture

Black American Arts

 

 

African American bust by Sargent Claude Johnson - Chester

Sargent Claude Johnson  – ‘Chester’ 

1930

A collection of African American artworks, primarily focused on ceramic and sculptural pieces.  As I delved into the various Afro American art genres that I was able to source, I was reminded of Ernie Barnes iconic album cover “Sugar Shack “ for Marvin Gaye’s 1976 recording “ I want You”.  The tapestry of  black dancers depicted  a writhing sensual embodiment of the human soul, captured by a collective primordial rhythm in motion. The newer art is still an affirmation of enthralling movement and colours and it was gratifying to discover it again, still exuding natural expression in the spirit of this transcendental dynamic aesthetic.

 

 

Crafting-Modernism--An-Exhibition-at-the-Museum-of-Arts-and-DesignGhettoVoiceInOrangeWillieBingDavis

 ‘Ghetto Voice In Orange’ – Willie Bing Davis

 

Doyle Lane – ( 1925 – 2002 )

Doyle Lane, whose work is in the collection of the California African American Museum in Los Angeles and will be featured in a Venice Biennale show in 2015, was apparently a modest man. “I don’t think an artist should really put his work on a pedestal because he isn’t the one to determine the aesthetic value,” he said in a 1981 interview with Studio Potter magazine. “When someone buys a piece of work, that is the only compliment. Anything else could just be flattery.” ( via LAtimes ) As a clay artist, Doyle Lane liked the mobility of ceramic art, “Why not take paintings out of doors,” he also declared in that 1981 interview, “where one may sit and watch the changing play of sunshine on the glazes and thus have changes of mood during the day?”

 

 

Doyle-Lane,-African-American-potter 1925 - 2002

Doyle Lane globular vessel with a textured volcanic glaze.

 

 

 

 Afro American potter - Doyle Lane ribbed bottle

 Doyle Lane ribbed bottle

 

 

 

Doyle Lane abstract textured bottle

 Doyle Lane abstract textured bottle

 

 

 

Doyle Lane Pottery

 Doyle Lane weed pots

 

 

 

Doyle Lane - contemporary ovoid vessel

Doyle Lane – contemporary ovoid pod vessel

 

 

 

Doyle Lane mid-century pottery

 Doyle Lane mid-century pottery

Doyle Lane round wall art

Doyle Lane round wall art

( at a recent exhibition at Refom Gallery )

Doyle Lane ceramic mosaic

Doyle Lane ceramic mosaic

 

 

 

Doyle Lane giving pottery throwing

Doyle Lane giving a pottery throwing demonstration

( 1925 – 2002 )

 

 Cheryl Foster 

 

foster_cheryl- sclupture--BLACK-ART-IN-AMERICA

 Cheryl Foster outdoor sculpture

 

 

 

nationalharborfullmosaic72

Maryland’s Bounty mosaic mural by Cheryl Foster

 

 

 

Wishing-Vessel,-Pulsating-with-Life - Cheryl Foster

 ‘Wishing Vessel –  Pulsating with Life’ – Cheryl Foster

 

 

 Nancy Ellen Churchville – Philadelphia. PA

 

 

Sculpture - Joy-Unspeakable Cheryl Foster

Nancy Ellen Churchville –  ‘Joy Unspeakable’ 

 

 

 

Freedom's Dance-sculpture by Nancy Ellen Churchville

 ‘Freedom’s Dance’ sculpture

 Nancy Ellen Churchville – 12″ height

Freedom's Dance sculpture Nancy Ellen Churchville

‘Freedom’s Dance’ sculpture  Nancy Ellen Churchville  View 2

 

 

 

Figurative sculpture - Blackbird - Nancy Ellen Churchville

 ‘Blackbird’ – Nancy Ellen Churchville

 

Nancy-Ellen-Churchville - dancing woman sculpture

 Full body sculpture  – Nancy Ellen Churchville

 

 

 

 

PRAISE VASE- Nancy Ellen Churchville

‘Praise Vase’ –  Nancy Ellen Churchville

Nancy Ellen Churchville

 Ceramic sculpture – Nancy Ellen Churchville

Prayer Warrior-sculpture bust Nancy Ellen cChurchville

‘Prayer Warrior’ – Nancy Ellen Churchville

 

 

 

Dudley Vaccianna

 

The illustrative decorations of Dudley Vaccianna weaves a fluid tapestry of rich tradition, colour and culture imbued with spirit and movement.

 

Dudly Vaccianna painted glass dish

 Dudley Vaccianna painted glass dish

 

 

 

Dudly Vaccianna painted glass vase

 Dudley Vaccianna  vase

 

 

 

Dudly Vaccianna Dancing Women plate

 Dudley Vaccianna dancing women plate

 

 

 

Vaccianna,-Dudley,-(Vase-#10)

Vase-#10   Dudley Vaccianna

Dudley Vaccianna dish

Dudley Vaccianna

Handpainted plate Dudley Vaccianna

Handpainted plate Dudley Vaccianna

 

 

 

 

 Dudley Vaccianna with his prize winning vase

 Dudley Vaccianna

 

 

 

 Dudley Vaccianna painting

 Dudley Vaccianna painting

 

 

 

Watercolor by Dudley Vaccianna: “Salsa”

Watercolor by Dudley Vaccianna: “ Salsa”

 

 

 

Vaccianna, Dudley vase with face motif

Dudley Vaccianna  vase with face motif

 

 

 

 

american-art Dudley Vaccianna

Dudley Vaccianna beaker

 

 

 

Dudly Vaccianna-ceramic-art7

 Dudley Vaccianna handpainted bottle

 

 

 

Gordon Parks photo for Life magazine

Afro American photographer Gordon Parks for Life magazine

 

 Kara Walker

 

Karan Walker superJumbo

Kara Walker with her sculpture superJumbo

 

 

 

Kara-Walker’s-wildly-popular-“Marvelous-Sugar-Baby”-art-installation-(see-photo-at-left)-at-the-old-Domino-sugar-refinery-in-Brooklyn,

“Marvelous Sugar Baby” by Kara Walker – at the old Domino sugar refinery in Brooklyn

 

 

Grandmaster Taijay

Grandmaster Taijay painting

 Grandmaster Taijay – painter/poet

 

Head Of Queen Mother Alpha Lioness Brown Sugar Spinx

 

Ms. Kara Walker’s…Spinx,

FROM MY PURVIEW, has taken
the image of the sugar cane
hack’n, no history have’n, GRINNIG, SLAVE…and lifted her back up to her rightful
place as the never before seen, Ancient Queen, Royal Mate of the Alpha Lion King AKA The Spinx.
Ms. Walker’s image is not grin’…she has time-less secrets/ who
understands the mysteries of the Spinx and his/her equal?
Her head wrap bears secret symbols and Royal seals…
just like when the Soul Sisters Of All Shades today
choose to wrap their heads
in exotic wrap’ns
I thought that I heard somebody say that,”some good folks
found the bones of a woman who
may just be the mother of all of us…” Can I get a…can I… uh…can ah’ git ah…witness?


-Grandmaster Taijay Harlem 7/5/14

 

GRANDMASTER-TAIJAY---painting-

Grandmaster Tajjay painting

 

 

 

 

Kimmy Cantrell – Atlanta

http://www.artjaz.com/artists/kimmy/

 

Kimmy Cantrell’s  ideal is to show the beauty within flaws. In his own words, “Imperfections tell stories far more compelling than perfection.  I’ve always loved primitive art, and I try to reflect that raw, primitive style in my own interpretations. Some of my work is tribal, and some is more universal. We all have roots, and the roots tend to come out in the works we create.”  Written in the eyes and titles, vibrantly colored faces tell stories which reflect the artist own experiences. Another signature of Kimmy’s work is his series of mixed media collages. The unique composition of elements such as clay, copper and sometimes stainless steel evolved from his series of masks. “I want to move people with the passion expressed in my work”

 

Cantrell,-Kimmy,-(What-If) sculptured mask

What If  sculptured mask – Kimmy Cantrell

 

 

 

Kimmy Cantrell abstract sculptor

Kimmy Cantrell

 

Kimmy Cantrell - " Green Hair " abstract ceramic

 Kimmy Cantrell – ” Green Hair “ abstract ceramic

 

 

 

 

KIMMY-CANTRELL reclining woman in red

 Kimmy Cantrell

 

 

 

KIMMY-CANTRELL abstract

Kimmy Cantrell

 

 

Kevin Snipes

 

kevin-snipes-workshop lidded jar witj absrtact male motif

Lidded vessel by Kevin Snipes

 

 

 

kevin-snipes-worksho

Kevin Snipes

 

 

 

Kevin-Snipes

Kevin Snipes

 

 

 

Kevin-Snipes-2012 lidded vessel with boy gril motif

Footed, lidded vessel – Kevin Snipes

 

 

 

Kevin Snipes- abstract boy vase

Footed vase with handpainted decoration – Kevin Snipes

 

 

 

Wasentha Young

 

 

Pathway To The Moon Wasentha Young - river stone wall mosaic

River stone wall mosaic – ‘Pathway To The Moon’ by Wasentha Young

 

 

 

 

Black Beauty Wasentha-Young mosaic wall panel foerst in black, red and turquoise

‘Black Beauty’   Mosaic wall panel – Wasentha Young

 

 

 Sargent Claude Johnson

 

The Politician by Sargent Claude Johnson

‘The Politician’ –  Sargent Claude Johnson

1954

Between 1945 and 1965, the Sargent Johnson made a number of trips to Oaxaca and Southern Mexico where he became acquainted with the Zapotec Indians and Mexicans in the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, where the famous black clay pots are made.

Johnson worked this material in his hotel room making grotesque and interesting black clay figures. A favorite theme of his for these pieces is the do-nothing politician. He produced about 100 of these pieces. ( via  fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us )

 

 

 

Mother and-Child---Sargent-Claude-Johnson---circa-1930

 ‘Mother and Child’ —Sargent Claude Johnson

circa 1930

 

 

Sargent-Claude Johnson-tremendous-frieze,-executed-in-1942,-covers-the-entire-retaining-wall-across-the-back-of-the-football-field,-and-still-stands-today

Sargent Claude Johnson – -monumental frieze, created in 1942. This modernist, multicultural carving of athletes covers the entire retaining wall across the back of the football field, and still stands today.

George Washington High School, San Francisco

California

 

 

Mixed selection :

Hebron-Chism painter

Hebron Chism

 

 

 

Mambu-Badu,-Black-Women-Photography,-Black-Female-Photographers

 Mambu Badu photography

 

 

 

Harlem-Renaissance,-Archibald John Motley, Jr,-Nightlife-1943,

‘Nightlife’ – Archibald John Motley, Jr

 

 

 

Robert McKnight,-(Dream-Keeper) sculpture

‘Dreamkeeper’ – Robert McKnight  sculpture

 

 

 

 

McKnight,-Robert,-(Minor-Effigy) sculpture

 ‘Minor Effigy’ – Robert McKnight

 

 

 

 

Mr

  “Walking Away From the Fire” by Mr. Imagination ( Gregory Warmack  – 1948-2012 ), Chicago

30 x 23 x 9″ — concrete / cement sculpture.

http://shopbaiaonline.com/

 

 

 

 

Mr Imagination terracotta figurine

 Mr. Imagination guitar sculpture

 

 

 

Selma-Burke-GettyImages

Sculptor Selma Burke

 

 

 

Artist-Nnamdi-Okonkwo-with-one-of-his sculptures

Nnamdi Okonkwo posing with his sculpture

 

 

 

Manzel-Bowman mixed digital medium art

Illustration with elements of afrofuturism and mixed digital medium – Manzel Bowman

 

 

 

Wangechi Mutu Le Noble Savage

‘Le Noble Savage’ – Wangechi Mutu

 

 

 

Noah's-Ark-(1936)-Aaron-Douglas,

‘Noah’s Ark’ – Aaron Douglas

1936

 

 

 

Aaron Douglas Charleston c1928 painting from harlem club

‘Charleston’ – Aaron Douglas

c 1928

 

 

Aaron Douglas--Harlem Renaissance Artist 1930s silhouette dancers

Aaron Douglas–Harlem Renaissance Artist – ‘Congo’

1927

 

 

Birds-in-Flight,-1927,-by-Aaron-Douglas

‘Birds in Flight’ – Aaron Douglas

1927

 

 

6 Ascent-Ethiopia-1932 Loïs-Mailou-Jones

Art Deco painting – ‘Ascent Ethiopia’ – Loïs Mailou Jones

1932

 

 

1929-Augusta-Savage-Gamin-Sculpture bust

Augusta Savage – ” Gamin’ “

1929

 

 

PLAYER-IN-TOWN---18X15-LIMITED-EDITION-GICLEE---WILLIE-TORBERT

‘Player In Town’  – Willie Torbert

 

 

 

American Painter Roderisk Vines - Bebop

Roderisk Vines –  ” Bebop “

 

 

Sculpture by Theophilus Owusu Quame - Nigeria

Nigerian sculptor Theophilus Owusu Quame

( Black Art In america )

 

 

 

The-Harp,-1939--Augusta-Savage The Harp sculpture for the 1939 New York World Fair

‘The Harp’  ( Lift Every Voice and Sing ) by African American Augusta Savage

A sculpture for the 1939 New York World Fair

See video below

 

 

 

William-E Artis 1946 sculpture bust

1946 sculpture bust by William E Artis

 

 

 

Sculpture by Meta-Warrick-EMANCIPATION

‘Emancipation’ by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller

 

 

Woodrow Nash

 

Woodrow Nash weaves undulating lines over the surface of his sculptures combined with natural motifs which emulate the flowing style of Art Nouveau infused with the traditional, graceful African forms derivative of 15th century Benin. With both his full length pieces and busts, he successfully creates a sense of comfortable intimacy and inclusiveness with his sculptures. The depth of his exploration of the spirit of his culture is palpable.

 

 

Woodrow Nash American sculptor

American sculptor Woodrow Nash

 

 

 

Woodrow Nash life size carved bust

 Life size carved bust – Woodrow Nash

 

 

 

Woodrow Nash sculptural figures

3 African Women – Woodrow Nash sculptural figures

 

 

 

Woodrow-Nash exhibition

Woodrow Nash

 

 

 

Woodrow-Nash_sculptures

Wooodrow Nash ceramic bust

 

 

 

 

Woodrow-Nash_African sculpture

Woodrow Nash – African sculpture

 

 

 

 

Woodrow Nash---children sculptures

Sculptures of children – Woodrow Nash

 

 

Woodrow Nash sculpture bust

 Woodrow Nash

 

WoodrowNash african warrior bust

Woodrow Nash sculpture bust

 

 

 

life size ceramic bust - Woodrow Nash

Bust of African girl with wings – Woodrow Nash

 

 

 

 

carved ceramic vessel Woodrow Nash

 Carved ceramic vase –  Woodrow Nash

 

Preston Jackson

lincolnsculpture Preston-Jackson Emancipation

 Preston Jackson – ‘Emancipation’

Connecticut River in Hartford

 

 

Afro American sculpture The Souvenir 2008 Preston Jackson

 ‘The Souvenir’  – Preston Jackson

2008

 http://www.prestonjacksonart.com/

 

 

Flight of the Cakewalkers, by Preston Jackson

 ‘Flight of the Cakewalkers’ by Preston Jackson

 

 

 

About Ancient Beliefs 2009 Preston Jackson

‘About Ancient Beliefs’  Preston Jackson

2009

 

 

 

Andelle Dancing Preston Jackson 2009

‘Andelle Dancing’ -Preston Jackson – 2009

Julieanne’s Garden

Elizabeth Catlett

 

 

Elizabeth-Catlett-mother and child abstract sculpture

 ‘Mother and Child’ – Elizabeth Catlett

1980

In 1942 Elizabeth Catlett received private instruction from Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine who urged her to add abstract elements to her figurative work.

 

 

Elizabeth-Catlett, abstract couple

 Abstract couple sculpture – Elizabeth Catlett

 

 

 African American Sculptor Elizabeth Catlett working in Mexico City, c. 1947

Sculptor Elizabeth Catlett working in Mexico City, c. 1947

 

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elizabeth catlett_MOTHER_AND_CHILD

Elizabeth Catlett

 

 

 

 

Selma-Burke--

Selma Burke

 

 

 

African American art The Sugar Shack by Ernie_Barnes African American art

‘Sugar Shack’ – Ernie Barnes

Time-to-Unite-(41st-and-Drexel) Brobzeville mural

At 41st and Drexel, Bronzeville mural, Chicago

 

 

Corey Barksdale

 

“A lot of my images are representative of the experiences that I have had and how I identify myself. These subjects reflect my community. The bold colors that I use have been with me since the beginning. Initially I focused on a few primary colors. Now I am blending them in different ways to create my secondary colors. “Do I have a spiritual connection to my art? At some point I do, but it takes a while to get to that point. When I first start a painting I have to achieve a certain mindset. And then if it starts to feel good and involving, then maybe I do go to a spiritual realm. But this is not a major consideration of the way that I think about my art. On the other hand, I do know there is a higher power outside of me that affects all of creativity. ”

 

 

Corey Barksdale doing a wall mural in bold colours

Corey Barksdale doing a wall mural

 

 

Artist Corey Barksdale at the outdoor live painting event in Atlanta abstract art

Corey Barksdale working at the Live Painting Event – Atlanta

 

 

 

black-art-contemporary-african_movement-Corey-Barksdale

Contemporary artist – Corey Barksdale

 

 

 

commission_a_painting_commission_mural_artist

Corey Barksdale

http://www.coreybarksdale.com/

 

Meet Augusta Savage the Most Important African-American Sculptor from Timeline on Vimeo.