Sharecropper by Elizabeth Catlett, 1957.
Elizabeth Catlett has always felt it was very important for her to present images of Black America with a straight forward dignity and pride so other people around the world could see what she sees.
Going to Church
Jesus Loves Me by Varnette Honeywood.
Honeywood's flat one dimensional style and strong colors give her work a unique look. She has done a lot of book illustrations, for which her technique is very well suited. Honeywood's work captures the varied experiences of African Americans and celebrates the relationships and traditions that bond the people and communities.
Bringing Real Scenes to Life Through Art
Jesus Loves Me by Varnette Honeywood, 1983
A good friend first introduced me to the art of Varnette Honeywood about the time this work was made. I have always been fond of the way Honeywood combined, colors and shapes to perfectly capture her scenes. Sadly, she passed away in 2010.
Artist Carrie Mae Weems on 30 Years of Genius - EBONY
"Art has saved my life on a regular basis. I wanted to offer that experience to children, to enlist them, to show them the possibilities that are in the arts, to persuade them to pursue it for both their own personal salvation and for changing the way we are understood." Carrie Mae Weems
Quiet Remembrance
Although considered part of the Harlem Renaissance movement, Motley never lived in Harlem. He was born in New Orleans and moved to Chicago where he studied art the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This painting from early in his career shows his grandmother Emily Motley (a former slave) quietly mending socks surrounded by mementos and references to her life.