#African American Art

[jareckiworld]

Norman Lewis (1909-1979) — Street Music [oil on canvas, 1950]

[fashionlandscapeblog]

John Biggers Homage to the See Saw, 1974 Conté crayons on cream wove paper.

[miamaimania]

Kerry James Marshall's 'Vignette', acrylic / fiberglass, 2003

[the-cricket-chirps]

Betye Saar, Rojo Toro, 1964

Betye Saar, The Beast that Pounds the Devil's Dust, 1964

[taf-art]

When Frustration Threatens Desire (1990). Kerry James Marshall.

[nancydrewwouldnever]

Joyce J. Scott, Three Generation Quilt I, 1983, mixed media (Artist's Collection)

[doubtspirit]

Soundsuite - Nick Cave

After witnessing the videotaped beating of Rodney King, Chicago-based artist Nick Cave created his first "Soundsuits,’’ full-bodied costumes from colorful objects found in antique shops and flea markets that protected him like a "second skin.’’ He fashioned his initial suits as "a therapeutic object to hide his identity’’ as a gay African-American in a threatening world.

[cmal95]

Country Doctor (Night Call) by Horace Pippin

[jareckiworld]

Norman Lewis (1909-1979) — Cathedral [oil on linen canvas, 1950]

[artbyfelmcinnis]

Afro Americana (Version II), digital, 2024

Somewhat of a self portrait but mostly an illustration inspired by the Black American heritage flag. I prefer this version cause it blocks out my eyes with the cowrie shells lol, but also cause it references art history and my spirituality!!

Note: I won't ever speak in-depth about my practices, but I don't mind sharing a little surface-level info. 😗

In my art history classes and from my own research, I learned that historical African art often used cowrie shells to represent eyes. These shells can relate to protection, wealth, and prosperity. They also connect to the ocean and water spirits in African Traditional Religions (ATRs), both typically representing abundance, wisdom, beauty, wealth, prosperity, tragedy, and so many other vast ideas reflecting the alluring mystery and possibilities of the seas.

Cowrie shells are, of course, popular and significantly used within Afro-diasporic cultures. It's normal to see the shells adorning hair, clothes, decor, in art, etc.

Eyes are the window to the soul. As an afro-spiritualist, I feel that my soul, spiritual energy, ambitions, passions, and future plans are linked with the guidance and sometimes personalities of my ancestors and other higher spirits.

I'm open to seeing other interpretations for this work as well :)

Woman with Cowrie Shell Eyes

19th century

Wood, cowrie shell, and pigment

Unknown artist

Black American Heritage Flag

Adopted on March 5, 1967

Designed by Melvin Charles & Gleason T. Jackson

[louandlillie]

A recent piece from wood that's been sitting in my shed since 2016 or so.

[the-cricket-chirps]

Betye Saar

House of Tarot

1960

MoMA New York

[taf-art]

Little Sweet (1944). William H. Johnson.

[conjuremanj]

My Spiritual Artwork.

Ifá Priest Babalawo doing a reading.

Conjure Root Women mixing herbs.

New Orleans Voodoo Ritual.

[aiartwerk]

Bedtime Story

[scarlett-bitch69]

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