People who find themselves displaced from their homeland and transferred to a foreign country would need to exert a lot of effort at ‘assimilating’ the local culture. This is because doing so may involve disregarding their own set of beliefs so that they would be able to conform to the culture of their ‘new’ country. African Americans had to shift their understanding of art so that their artistic creations would be appreciated in America. To better understand this concept, an appreciation of the history of African American art is needed.
Art in the time of slavery
The period of slavery in America saw how many African Americans had to shift their paradigms with regard to art, sticking to what were the accepted forms of art in America, which were mostly influenced by Europe. During this time, the African American artists were defined as ‘slave artisans with other skills such as quilt making.’ However, this definition later changed to ‘painters of white families’ portraits,’ and in some cases, the painters were called ‘portrait painters of well-to-do free persons of color.’ Some of these painters gained acclaim and were able to buy their freedom from their masters by bartering their artwork.
After the Civil War
In the period after the Civil War, many African American artists were being recognized for their talent. Up to the 1920s, most of the artists of this time produced works that were displayed in museums and studios. However, the works that were produced during these times still conformed with European tradition and the training that these artists received were still mainly characterized as European.
‘The Harlem Renaissance’
In the late 1920s, different African American artists formed a movement called Negro or Harlem Renaissance. This opened the door for African American art, in the form of literature, music, knowledge and visual arts, to become explored and rediscovered, which also led to the upliftment of the individuality of African Americans as a people. The decade that followed this was considered the ‘Renaissance’ of African American art, where artists broke free from foreign influences to discover their own unique art form. From this period on, African American artists were free to express themselves based on what has been discovered during this ‘Renaissance.’
The rough path that Black artists in America had to take is a testament to what they had to undergo to ‘regain’ their identity as a people. Give this, the history of African American art shows not only the struggles of Black artists towards freedom from foreign influences but also of self-discovery.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
African-American Alcohol Abuse
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Cases of alcohol abuse are no doubt, increasing by leaps and bounds every year. This is particularly true for the African-American community, which constitues around 12% of the total population in America. It is estimated that almost 27% of those who make use of publicly...
-
Black Authors
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
African-American or Black authors, the flip side of the American literary idealists, are traversing barriers to enter into the mainstream writing and publishing world. Their inspiration is the development and popularity of indigenous “black” music, dance, visual arts, architecture, and famous names in different fields....
-
African Art
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Different art genres have different themes that distinguish them from other genres. This is because these themes often reflect the culture of the place where the art genre originated. They represent things that are significant to that culture. One example of such a genre is...
-
Native American Paintings
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Native American paintings painted by American Indians are highly popular in the United States and other countries. Many tourists purchase them as a souvenir or a gift for their loved ones. Native American paintings are contemporary and unique. Traditional native paintings were less prominent and...
-
African Wildlife Art
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Wildlife art is considered as one of man’s earliest art forms because some of the carvings that have been found in archeological sites predate written history. This art form inspires an appreciation of the relationship between man and nature. However, wildlife art can depict other...
-
American Flags
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A flag is a symbol of a country’s sovereignty. In fact, flags can go beyond mere symbolism and become the standard around which a nation and its people rally. The American flag is a source of immense pride to American citizens. The Stars and Stripes...
-
African Tribal Art
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
One of the most common themes that are depicted in African art is that of a stranger, which signifies the premium that Africans place on the tribe to which they belong. Another way of depicting a tribe’s unique set of beliefs is to depict them...
-
African Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Masks have long played a vital role in African cultural life. African masks are in fact dramatic demonstrations of the spirits of departed ancestors, and believed to have hidden powers of social control. They are made according to traditional style and worn by trained performers,...
-
Flower Paintings
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Painting is an expression of an artist’s imagination and reflects his perception of the world around him. Painters are usually inspired by scenery, landscapes, and other elements of nature. Most painters are captivated by the beauty and aesthetic appeal of various types of flowers. It...
-
Impressionist Paintings
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
‘Impressionism’ was one of the most important art movements in the 19th century that began when a certain section of artists from Paris began a public display of their art. This name was coined after the famous painting of Claude Monet. In the late mid-19th...