Black History is Part of Art History

All of the artists discussed in today’s post are exceptionally talented, so maybe you’re wondering: “Why qualify it?” 

It’s true that you don’t always need qualifiers when talking about great art and artists. However, sometimes looking at the work of a particular group of artists can help you see and understand things that you otherwise could not.

The fact is that Black History has uniquely and significantly influenced art history. Moreover, it’s a side of art history that statistically has not received the exposure or representation that it deserves. It’s important that we talk about – and help change- that.

Representation: Past and Present

Historically, members of the Black community have been underrepresented and/or unacknowledged for their contributions to the art world. Even in recent times, black artists have been strikingly absent in art galleries around the United States.

A 2019 study (you can read it here) showed that, as an average, about 85% of the professional art shown in galleries was created by Caucasian  men. While it should be noted that women and all racial minorities received low representation as well, Black/African American artists made up the lowest proportional percentage–only 1.2% of the art on display in galleries around the nation was created by black artists. 

Being Part of the Conversation

There may be more than one reason for these findings. The study indicated that historical bias, difficulty identifying artists of the past, and a contemporary shortage of black artists are all potential contributing factors. However, as I think about this study and its implications, here are 3 practical conclusions we can take away from these findings:

 1. Representation always plays a role in the next generation. When kids see people who look like them in a certain career or following a particular dream, it can help them envision themselves doing that thing, too. Representation is powerful fuel. When there’s a lack of representation, however, it can be more challenging for kids to envision themselves in a particular role. There may be a contemporary shortage of Black artists (as the study also indicated), but there is also reason to suspect that the historic lack of representation for Black artists has do with that.

2. Art allows us to understand new concepts and perspectives in a way that bypasses language. Therefore, it’s even more important to showcase work by a greater diversity of artists. If we want art to tell the truth, it’s important to tell as many true stories as possible.

3. To improve the situation, we need to talk about it.  Since that 2019 study was published, museums around the nation are making more of an effort to diversify their exhibits by: representing a greater variety of artists, focusing more on Black artists, and talking openly about about why these changes matter. In aiding this endeavor, it’s important for us to remember black artists who have made an impact in art and history, and to recognize those who are currently using their talent to bring new perspectives to the world.

Black History Month: 5 Artists You Should Know

Here are just 5 of the many amazing black, American artists who have shaped the past, and are shaping the present, through their creativity.  I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about each of them.

1.  Alma Thomas (1891 – 1978)

Born in Georgia in 1891, Alma Thomas moved to Washington DC in 1907. She would make a lasting impact on the nation’s capital,  nurturing artists and art appreciation there for many years to come.   Alma Thomas taught children in her school and church to create – and appreciate – art for almost 40 years!

In the 1960s, as a retired teacher, Alma Thomas began to develop her artistic style in a different direction. She experimented with abstract styles, color, and movement, creating the uniquely colorful, mosaic-like style that defines her work today. Much of her art was inspired by the bright flowers in her hometown and by man’s first trip to the moon. In a time of unrest and division in America, this artist chose to focus on joyful elements of life. She said: “Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man’s inhumanity to man.”

Today, her painting, “Resurrection,” is displayed in the White House dining room. It was the first work by a Black woman to be added to the White House collection of art. To this day, Alma Thomas remains well-known, not only for her beautiful creations, but for her personal legacy of warmth and joy.

2. Augusta Savage (1892- 1962)

Despite the fact that she often faced challenging circumstances, this Black female sculpture was a profoundly influential artist and art teacher. Augusta was a major figure in the the Harlem Renaissance art movement, and was the first director of the Harlem Community Art Center. She was also commissioned to sculpt a piece for the New York World’s Fair (1939) which symbolized the musical contributions of African Americans.

Despite her own significant contributions to the art world, this award-winning artist considered her role as an art teacher to be her greatest legacy. Augusta Savage was an inspiring person who reminds us to also continue to learn and to support others’ learning as well. The video below shows some rare footage of this artist at work!

3. Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988)

Jean-Michel Basquiat lived a short, but prolific, life.  Born in 1960 to a Puerto Rican mother and a Haitian-American father, Jean-Michel was a self-taught artist who studied both art and the world and diverse cultures around him. As a young child, he became fascinated with human anatomy, which would become a running theme throughout much of his work.

In the 1970s, Basquiat became known for the thought-provoking graffiti art he painted on buildings all over Manhattan. He tagged them with the anonymous title, “SAMO.”  By the age of 21, the artist was creating art full-time, using whatever materials he could get his hands on. Anatomy, historical themes, identity, and oppression all played a role in his work. He continued to grow in acclaim and popularity and gained a rare status as a young and extremely successful contemporary artist. Despite his fame and success, however, Basquiat struggled with addiction. He died of an overdose in 1988 at the age of 28.

As recently as 2017, one of Basquiat’s untitled works sold for $110 million–the highest price on record for any work by an American artist. Jean-Michel Basquiat was a leader in the art movement of Neo-Expressionism, and his work continues to influence contemporary art and culture.

4. Bisa Butler (1973 – Present)

Bisa Butler is a unique contemporary artist based in New Jersey. Though she was trained a painter, Butler is best known for the art she creates in the form of detailed quilts. Butler combines vivid color choices, realistic details, historical photographs and traditional crafting methods to produce her textile masterpieces.

This artist is passionate about history, family heritage, community, and migration. The scenes that she creates reflects those themes, but so does her medium. Quilting has strong ties to women of the past and to Black History, too. Therefore, Butler’s work weaves together imagery and material to bring the past to life. She layers the fabrics in her work in a way that mimics layers in painting.

Bisa Butler combines textile crafting with artistic skill to tell the histories of Black families and figures in a previously untapped way. It will be exciting to see how her approach to art and historical crafting shapes future artists who are also interested in exploring the past. Check out the below video to see how she creates her amazing pieces.

5. Kehinde Wiley (1977 – Present)

Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary artist who is based in New York City. He’s best known for his striking, naturalistic portraits of Black men and women. His portrait style follows many of the conventions and poses of the Old Masters of painting. However, he focuses on subjects that have not been traditionally represented by this style (young, black men and women).  Wiley’s beautiful work illuminates multiple facets of his subjects. Through his historically-inspired poses and style, the artist also draws attention to dynamic themes like status, race, and representation.

Despite the fact that this artist’s portraits are photo-realistic and often mimic historical posts, his subjects are often presented in front of more dream-like backgrounds, full of bold colors and patterns. Often, the details in the background contain significance to the subject being painted.

In 2018, Kehinde Wiley was commissioned to paint the  portrait of former President Barack Obama for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. This made him the first black portrait artist to have the honor of painting a U.S. President (see more about this portrait in the video clip below). Wiley is also the founder of Black Rock, an artist-in-resident program in Africa that he started in order to better connect with African culture and foster artists and creativity there.

We hope you enjoyed learning about these 5 inspirational Black artists and their work. At Sparketh, we strive to show kids that art and creativity are for everyone. Anyone can be an artist!

We know that traditional art classes are expensive, and can be difficult to find depending on where you live. Making professional online art classes more affordable and accessible is a big part of our mission and our origin story. You can read more about that part of our story in these interview with Sparketh’s co-founders Dwayne Walker (Sparketh’s artistic visionary) or Tim Samuel (Sparketh’s idea architect).

The post Black History Month: 5 Artists You Should Know appeared first on Sparketh.

Today: we’re sharing NASA’s current art contest, discussing an FBI art case that Indiana Jones would love, and ogling at an 800 pound hunk of butter art.

Featured Art Contest: NASA Art Contest for Kids Age 4 -12

Art and science have a lot more in common than many people may think. Both involve testing theories, exploring curiosity, and making constant innovations. In recent years, NASA (you’ve probably heard of them) has been making an effort to engage the next generation of creative minds. And of course, that includes your artistically-minded kids and students!

Right now and through October 27, NASA is hosting an art contest for kids, age 4 – 12!  Students can take inspiration from 4 main topics:

• Rockets and Spacecraft
• Living and Working in Space
• Exploring the Solar System
• Astronauts

There are three separate submission categories for the contest (based on age of the child submitting), and each category will have a 1st and 2nd place prize.  The winning artwork will be featured in a NASA calendar! You can find out more about contest rules and submission guidelines in the link below.

NASA Art Contest Rules and Submissions

Art News: The Case of the Mysterious Medusa Mosaic!

It sounds like a Nancy Drew novel, or maybe an Indiana Jones movie,  but it’s current news in the art world! The FBI recently discovered an ancient Italian mosaic which has been missing for decades.  The 2oo-pound mosaic of Medusa was discovered in a Los Angeles storage building, where the FBI determined it has been concealed since the 1980s!  No one knows how the owner of the storage unit obtained the mosaic, although the piece last appeared in cultural property records in 1909.

The enormous mosaic piece was cut (and stored) as 16 separate pieces. When put together, it reportedly forms an image of  Medusa–the monstrous, snake-haired Gorgon of ancient mythology.

Special agents Elizabeth Rivas and Allen Grove worked to investigate the mosaic and return it to its place of origin. They collaborated with Italian officials to return the fragile artifact to Rome, where it will be studied and carefully restored.

According to special agent Grove (via CNN): “The mosaic was handcrafted from an age where people put an amazing amount of care and effort into it. It really speaks to the ingenuity and creativity of the time,” Grove said. “It’s not meant to be in Los Angeles. The mosaic belongs to the people of Rome. It allows us to understand a bit about the history of humans 2,000 years ago.”

One day, maybe we’ll see a photo of the fully restored mosaic art. Maybe we’ll even discover more about it’s cultural significance to Rome!

As for me and my mystery-loving brain… I want to know about the mosaic’s lost years!

Why was it in a storage unit in L.A.?

What was the owner planning to do with 16 heavy puzzles pieces of an ancient artifact?

What adventures did this work of art experience in its approximately 100 years of being “lost?”

What do you think, readers?

Trending Art: Butter Sculpture. Would you try it?

Did you know that butter sculpting is a thing? While you may not hear about it much, it’s actually a long-held tradition, dating back to ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture. Here in the United States, you’ll mainly find butter sculptures at state fairs, where they’ve been a more recent(ish) tradition held over the last 150 years. Last week, the below sculpture was presented at The Great New York State Fair. The piece is in response to the theme: “Refuel Her Greatness – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.” It was sculpted over a period of 10 days by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton and is made out of 800 pounds of butter. 800 pounds!

Behold it below. The process is pretty amazing to watch!

The sculpture celebrates female athletes, showing a progression of differently aged girls and women competing in physical challenges. Sadly, now that the exhibition is over, all of that butter will be melted down. Because you can’t eat just butter that has been an art exhibit, it will be recycled by a methane converter and recycled into renewable energy.

Here’s my creative challenge to you, readers. The next time you are at the grocery store, buy a block of butter and some large potatoes. Practice butter sculpting on a mini-scale, and then recycle your art directly onto that potato. You honestly have nothing to lose from this.

Viral: Artistic Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II Flood the Interweb.

Last Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her Balmoral home. In last week’s blog, I discussed her legacy on the art world in the past century. In the past week, however, that legacy has only continued to grow. Why? The world continues to honor the monarch’s legacy with some amazingly creative works of art content on social media. The following Youtube Shorts, each paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, were viral this week. Each of them show astounding amounts creativity and talent.

Which one is your favorite?

https://youtube.com/shorts/fexFuS1QKhQ?feature=share

That’s a wrap on this week’s latest in creative content, readers! We hope you’ll join us again next Friday for the latest creative challenges, art content, and art news! As you go about your life this week, remember: you can be creative in everything (and anything) you do!

The post NASA Art Contest, A Creative Case for the FBI, and 800 Pounds of Butter! appeared first on Sparketh.