A celebratory visual chronicle of the many ways in which Black
Americans have used portraiture to envision themselves
Spanning over two centuries from around 1800 to the present day, Black
American Portraits chronicles the ways in which Black Americans have
used portraiture to envision themselves in their own eyes. Remembering
Two Centuries of Black American Art, curated by David C. Driskell at
LACMA 45 years ago, this book is a companion to the exhibition of the
same name that reframes portraiture to center Black American subjects,
sitters and spaces. This selection of approximately 140 works from
LACMA's permanent collection highlights emancipation, scenes from the
Harlem Renaissance, portraits from the Civil Rights and Black Power
eras, multiculturalism of the 1990s and the spirit of Black Lives
Matter.
Countering a visual culture that often demonizes Blackness and
fetishizes the spectacle of Black pain, these images center love,
abundance, family, community and exuberance. Black American Portraits
depicts Black figures in a range of mediums such as painting, drawing,
prints, photography, sculpture, mixed media and time-based media. In
addition to work by artists of African descent, Black American
Portraits includes several works by artists of other backgrounds who
have exemplified a thoughtfulness about, sensitivity toward and
commitment to Black artists, communities, histories and subjects.
Artists include: Alvin Baltrop, Edward Biberman, Bisa Butler, Jordan
Casteel, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Bruce Davidson, Stan Douglas, rafa
esparza, Shepard Fairey, Charles Gaines, Sargent Claude Johnson, Deana
Lawson, Kerry James Marshall, Alice Neel, Lorraine O'Grady, Catherine
Opie, Amy Sherald, Ming Smith, Henry Taylor, Tourmaline, Mickalene
Thomas, James Van Der Zee, Carrie Mae Weems, Charles White, Kehinde
Wiley and Deborah Willis.
