Black American Arts

Sargent Claude Johnson - Chester – 1930

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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 “ 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, exuding natural expression in the spirit of this transcendental aesthetic.

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 globular vessel with a textured volcanic glaze.

Doyle Lane ribbed bottle

Doyle Lane abstract textured bottle

Doyle Lane weed pots

Doyle Lane – contemporary ovoid pod vessel

Doyle Lane mid-century pottery

Doyle Lane round wall art

( at a recent exhibition at Refom Gallery )

Doyle Lane ceramic mosaic

Doyle Lane giving a pottery throwing demonstration

( 1925 – 2002 )

Cheryl Foster

Cheryl Foster outdoor sculpture

Maryland’s Bounty mosaic mural by Cheryl Foster

Wishing Vessel – Pulsating with Life – Cheryl Foster

Nancy Ellen Churchville – Philadelphia. PA

http://blackartinamerica.com/profile/NancyEllenChurchville

Nancy Ellen Churchville - Joy Unspeakable

Freedom’s Dance sculpture

Nancy Ellen Churchville – 12″ height

Freedom’s Dance sculpture Nancy Ellen Churchville View 2

Blackbird – Nancy Ellen Churchville

Full body sculpture - Nancy Ellen Churchville

Praise Vase - Nancy Ellen Churchville

Nancy Ellen Churchville

Ceramic sculpture - Nancy Ellen Churchville

Prayer Warrior - Nancy Ellen churchville

Dudly Vaccianna

http://dvaccianna.weebly.com/

Dudly Vaccianna painted glass dish

Dudly Vaccianna vase

Dudly Vaccianna dancing women plate

Vase-#10 Dudley Vaccianna

Dudley Vaccianna

Handpainted plate Dudley Vaccianna

Dudley Vaccianna

Dudley Vaccianna painting

Watercolor by Dudley Vaccianna: “ Salsa”

Afro American photographer Gordon Parks for Life magazine

Kara Walker

Kara Walker with her sculpture superJumbo

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

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 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”

What If sculptured mask - Kimmy Cantrell

Kimmy Cantrell

Kimmy Cantrell – ” Green Hair “ abstract ceramic

Kimmy Cantrell

Mixed selection :

Hebron Chism

Mambu Badu photography

Black Beauty Mosaic panel – Wasentha Young

Dreamkeeper – Robert McKnight sculpture

Minor Effigy – Robert McKnight

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

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

http://shopbaiaonline.com/

Nigerian Mask

Oluchi Orlandi

Player In Town – Willie Torbert

Roderisk Vines – ” Bebop “

Nigerian sculptor Theophilus Owusu Quame

( Black Art In america )

The Harp by African American Augusta Savage

A sculpture for the 1939 New York World Fair

1946 sculpture bust by William E Artis

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.