FAQs
Artists such as Edmonia Lewis, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Alma Thomas, Jacob Lawrence, and many others, influenced American culture, working at pivotal times in history. Their art covers abolitionism, the Great Migration, World War I and II, the Civil Rights movement, and modern themes of Black Lives Matter.
What is the most popular black artist contemporary artwork? ›
Kehinde Wiley has become incredibly recognizable over the last few years as the artist behind the iconic Barack Obama portrait. An artist with a masterful understanding of heroic, grand portraiture, Wiley's artwork most often utilizes storied codes and systems to depict urban, black and brown men.
Who is the inspirational person for Black History Month? ›
These pioneering figures deserve to be celebrated. When it comes to pioneers in African American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali are often mentioned—and rightfully so.
Who was the 1st Black artist? ›
Henry Ossawa Tanner was the first successful African-American artist. He triumphed in a world that was predominantly white to create paintings of power, beauty and poignancy. Tanner's mother was a black slave who had dramatically escaped via a railroad. His father was a Methodist minister and an abolitionist.
Who was an important Black figure artist? ›
David C. Driskell (1931–2020) was an accomplished artist, celebrated curator, and one of the world's leading authorities on the history of African American art.
Who is the most famous contemporary artist today? ›
Who are the most famous contemporary artists? Among the most famous contemporary artists are Cindy Sherman, Liu Xiaodong, Cecily Brown, Liu Wei, Miquel Barcelo and Takashi Murakami.
Who is the top Black female artist? ›
Aretha Franklin is the most successful black female singer of all time. With her captivating voice, Arethra enthralled audiences worldwide and gained critical acclaim as well as success as a solo black female singer.
Which artist is known for presenting contemporary Black figures? ›
Kehind Wiley is a New York-based artist known for his large-scale portraits that feature contemporary Black figures in poses inspired by classical European paintings.
Who are the people honor Black History Month? ›
Black History Month was created to commemorate the lives and achievements of Black Americans, and Black history lessons frequently include the stories of famous Black Americans like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Jesse Owens.
Who is the hero of Black History Month? ›
Every Black History Month and Juneteenth, pioneers in African American history are often mentioned like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and Harriet Tubman. They are revered and in the spotlight because they are on stamps, calendars and even quoted in political speeches.
These leaders have also had a significant impact in shaping the world we live in today.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the most well-known civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. ...
- Rosa Parks. ...
- Barack Obama. ...
- Frederick Douglass. ...
- oprah Winfrey. ...
- Harriet Tubman. ...
- Medgar Evers. ...
- Jackie Robinson.
Who was the first Black female artist? ›
Edmonia Lewis | Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Who is the first Black millionaire? ›
Madam C.J.
Walker (1867-1919), who started life as a Louisiana sharecropper born to formerly enslaved parents in 1867, is usually cited as the first Black millionaire.
What Black artist impacted the world? ›
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)
Part of the Neo-expressionist movement, Jean-Michel Basquiat's career had a global impact on the art world. After struggling at school, he and his friend Al Diaz formed a graffiti duo around an invented character, SAMO.
What artists were associated with the Black Arts movement? ›
The Black Arts Movement started in 1965 when poet Amiri Baraka [LeRoi Jones] established the Black Arts Repertory Theater in Harlem, New York, as a place for artistic expression. Artists associated with this movement include Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange, James Baldwin, Gil Scott-Heron, and Thelonious Monk.
Who was the Black singer in Black history? ›
Known for her distinctive powerhouse vocals, Aretha Franklin not only redefined the soul genre through her trailblazing blend of gospel with jazz, blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll, but also used her voice to advocate for the civil rights and women rights movements, with her hit songs 'Respect' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) ...
What is the theme for Black History Month 2024? ›
The 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the creativity, resilience and innovation from a culture that has uplifted spirits and soothed souls in countless ways across centuries.