Famous african american artists biography

From pastoral landscapes to protest art, discover the work of ten pioneering black American artists and their history

Art tends to have two effects on us when we view it. The first is the purely aesthetic, the heart-wrenching power of seeing something novel, beautiful, frightening, or unexpected. Second is the theme: that search for meaning that asks, "who made this, and why?"

Below are ten of the most influential Black painters, sculptors, and photographers from the last two hundred years of American history. From breaking down barriers to establishing new cultural canons, these artists have pioneered the portrayal of Black experience in the United States through works that do all of the above: inspiring wonder, hope, and shock in equal volumes.

In response to both historical and contemporary injustices, Black art gives voice to those previously silenced. At the same time, several art movements have celebrated the beauty and flourishing of Black culture.

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10 Black Visual Artists Who Broke Barriers

By working outside of convention in their respective fields, these Black artists have defied cultural and professional stereotypes. Collectively, their bodies of work should not only be seen as a narrative of the African American experience of their time, but also a powerful expression of cultural protest.

Here are 10 famous Black visual artists who've broken barriers and left an enduring legacy on American history:

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Painter

Before Brooklyn native Jean-Michel Basquiat became a world-renowned Neo-Expressionist painter, he was tagging subway trains beneath the graffiti artist name "SAMO." To make ends meet, he sold apparel and postcards featuring his street art.

But Basquiat wouldn't struggle for too long. After his art was featured in a group exhibit, the right people began to take meddelande. From there Basquiat's painting career took off, which included works displaying his crown motif, a celebration of

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Top 12 Famous Black Artists Who Achieved Greatness

For many years, Black artists were shunned away by the general art historical narrative, but that did not stop them from creating exceptional works of art. Black art is not necessarily political, but, just like any art, it is still deeply rooted in the identity of its creator. Below is by no means a definitive list of 12 outstanding Black artists everyone needs to know.

12. Norman Lewis: the Great Black Artist of Abstract Expressionism

Norman Lewis was truly a great American artist and the only Black Abstract Expressionist of the first generation. A social realist in his early career, Lewis moved to abstraction in the mid-1940s. By that time, Lewis grew tired of depicting the American life that was so exclusive and so merciless to a large part of the country’s population.

Lewis spent years trying to find a way for artists to affect the political situation with their art, trying to find a cure for systemic racism and