Black Power/Black Art

Monday, September 19, 1994 to Friday, October 21, 1994

Artists

  • Benny Andrews
  • Kofi Bailey
  • Richmond Barthe
  • Romare Bearden
  • John Biggers
  • Bob Black
  • David Bradford
  • Elizabeth Catlett
  • Dana Chandler
  • Floyd Coleman
  • Dewey Crumpler
  • Murray De Pillars
  • Emory Douglas
  • Melvin Edwards
  • Malaika Favorite
  • Hal Franklin
  • Claude Fiddler
  • Reginald Gammon
  • Ron Griffin
  • David Hammons
  • Ben Hazard
  • Mike Henderson
  • Barbara Jones
  • Lois Mailou Jones
  • Artis Lane
  • Jacob Lawrence
  • Samella Lewis
  • Philip Mason
  • Joe Moore
  • Howardena Pindell
  • Faith Ringgold
  • Betye Saar
  • Raymond Saunders
  • Clarissa Sligh
  • Ruth Waddy
  • William Walker
  • Charles White

Introduction
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of profound change for the African American community. From the Civil Rights Movement to the urban uprisings to Aretha’s call for R-E-S-P-E-C-T, African Americans were demanding self-determination, self-definition and black power. This movement found expression in the creative arts as well. I was a young photographer during this period and was inspired by the artistic audacity of writers and artists like Ed Bullins, Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubuti, William Walker and so many others. They dared to express the African American struggle in eloquent, uncompromising artistic terms.

My experiences in graduate school have shown me that the impact of the Black Arts Movement on the larger contours of 20th century art has yet to be fully comprehended or appreciated. This project was born out of my desire to understand and pay homage to the artists and their contributions to the struggle. I hope this presentation will bring the 1960s and 1970s into sharper focus, raise questions, and initiate discussion. We all have much to learn.– Joe Louis Moore, Project Directo, MA Candidate, Inter-Arts Center

Black Power/Black Art ....and the struggle continues
Political Imagery from the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s
Dr. Samella Lewis and Dr. Mary Jane Hewitt, (c) 1994