| Like many artists who use cultural and ethnic | | | | Douglas went on after painting his magnificent |
| heritage as an inspiration for their art, modern | | | | murals to inspire others interested in modern |
| African American art often has strong roots in | | | | African American art at Fisk University. His |
| Africa. For many African American artists, the | | | | influence can be felt in the art world even now, |
| Southern region of the U.S. also represents a | | | | 27 years after his death. |
| huge emphasis on the composition and subject of | | | | One female African American artist who strongly |
| their work. There is a growing awareness of this | | | | affected the modern African American art scene |
| unique form of expression and of the artists who | | | | is Clementine Hunter. She didn't begin painting until |
| create the works. For many years African | | | | after the age of 40. Her work is simple and two |
| American art has been tagged as crafts and | | | | dimensional, depicting Southern life through her |
| seriously under appreciated. Fortunately that trend | | | | eyes. Many consider her to be one of the most |
| is changing and people from all ethnic backgrounds | | | | important artists to come from the South. Her |
| and lifestyles have more opportunities to view | | | | African American painting was first recognized in |
| and learn from modern African American art. In | | | | the 1950's and continues to inspire. |
| order to more fully appreciate these artists, it is | | | | Regardless of the media and subject chosen, |
| important to take a look at some of the African | | | | modern African American art is finally receiving |
| American artists who paved the way. | | | | the attention and acclaim it deserves. Thanks to |
| Henry O. Tanner (1859-1937) is best known for | | | | the many exceptional artists who gave the world |
| his painting "The Banjo Lesson." Initially his work | | | | a picture of the little talked about culture from |
| reflected the black experience and his impressions | | | | which they came, young up and coming African |
| of that life. Later in life he added more to modern | | | | American artists have an easier road to follow to |
| African American art with his works of religious | | | | receive the recognition they deserve. Great things |
| influence. Mr. Tanner made several trips to the | | | | can come from the lessons of these past artists. |
| Holy Land to find inspiration for his art. | | | | Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts |
| As can be expected, the American era of slavery | | | | degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, |
| often plays a large part in modern African | | | | Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in |
| American art. This is certainly true of Claude | | | | Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, |
| Clark's work. A Georgia native, he has styled his | | | | Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA. |
| work with strong Southern and African themes. | | | | One of Africa's most celebrated and renowned |
| His style is direct and the intention of his work is | | | | contemporary African American artist, Mr. |
| clear. One of his most well known paintings "Slave | | | | Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa, |
| Lynching" is an obvious commentary of the social | | | | Europe and the USA. His paintings have been |
| climate of the slavery era. | | | | described as hypnotic, colorful and densely |
| There is unlikely to be an art lover who has never | | | | patterned. |
| heard of the Harlem Renaissance. Aaron Douglas | | | | In 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the |
| did some of his finest work in that period. The | | | | Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was |
| murals of the Harlem Renaissance are popular and | | | | invited to become a member of Africobra, an |
| some of Douglas's work can be seen in libraries | | | | organization founded in the 1960s and whose |
| and public buildings in this form. His favorite | | | | membership comprises of distinguished |
| inspirations were important people and significant | | | | African-American artists. |
| events in the African American history. Aaron | | | | |