| When people speak of African American Art, | | | | people of African decent who were brought to |
| normally they are referring to a racial | | | | America were genetically equipped to work in |
| phenomenon, with paintings, sculptures, | | | | the creative art fields. Most African bought |
| graphic arts, and crafts all rolled into one | | | | to America came from West Africa. This |
| product. The truth is that just as the Blues | | | | section of Africa was highly developed in the |
| influenced all American music, Art by persons | | | | arts. As a daily part of cultural life, |
| of African descent has help to shape the | | | | wood-carvers, metalworkers designed the |
| cultural and social traditions of American | | | | images, totem animals and other objects that |
| Art. Of course, young people today are heavy | | | | were so important tribal life. The designers |
| into hip-hop, but the Blues is still going | | | | and weavers of the African appeal could have |
| strong. If young people do not want to | | | | given any of the "fashion big boys" a run for |
| listen to the Blues they should at least know | | | | their money. In tracing the roots of |
| that the city of Memphis is keeping the Blues | | | | American Art, it is acknowledged that |
| alive. They all need to visit Beale Street | | | | concepts flowed from Egypt to Mesopotamia, |
| in Memphis at least one time. Memphis was | | | | Greece and finally to Rome. Westerners seem |
| the place where blues performers first | | | | to forget that Egypt is in Africa, and the |
| brought the Blues to national attention and | | | | biggest influence on Egypt was sub-Sahara |
| the Blues is still going strong. | | | | Africa. |
| | | | |
| Because people of African descent had to | | | | African American Art has followed the path |
| evolve with the weight of Slavery and Jim | | | | through cotton patches of the South and to |
| Crow on their shoulders, it is amazing that | | | | the city streets of Harlem, New York. Most |
| African American Art has grown to be such a | | | | of the African American "greats" passed |
| force in the world of art. African American | | | | through Harlem. At that time it was called: |
| Artist, despite the adversities, has made | | | | "The New Negro Movement". It is said that |
| outstanding creative contributions to the | | | | the blooming of African American social |
| American Society. Racial bias for a long | | | | thought happened in Harlem during the 1920's |
| time prevented the majority of African | | | | to 1930's. Literature, theater, dance, |
| Americans Artist from receiving recognition | | | | painting and sculpture all begin to have a |
| and acceptance, yet as early as the | | | | profound influence through out the United |
| eighteenth century Blacks worked in the field | | | | States and even around the world. There are |
| of painting and woodcarving. In the latter | | | | too many outstanding artist associated with |
| part of the nineteenth century a number of | | | | the Harlem Renaissance to list, but I will |
| African American Artist became distinguished | | | | leave you with a short list and you can do |
| painters and sculptors. | | | | further research: |
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| What most people don't realize is that the | | | | - William H. |