Early Modern Era. The Harlem Renaissance.

 

This week I will be showcasing three works of art by three different artists from the influence of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was the development of the Harlem neighborhood in New York City as a black cultural mecca in the early 20th century and the subsequent social and artistic explosion that resulted. Lasting roughly from the 1910s through the mid-1930s, the period is considered a golden age in African American culture, manifesting in literature, music, stage performance, and art. I find this point in time fantastic because up until then the African American voice was largely absent from cultural influence and political life showcased in America. This movement will undeniably show you the influence that African Americans played in the formation of America's historical artistic cultural landscape. 

Jacob Lawrence was one of the most influential African American painters from the twentieth century. The below painting is created out of Lawrence's signature style referred to as "dynamic cubism". Cubism used geometric shapes that could be used to depict familiar forms in a new fashion. This created art that was jarring with angular lines and broken shapes. Lawrence moved to New York City, Harlem in the '30s and was part of the movement African American cultural movement that embraced all artforms and encouraged African Americans to embrace their heritage and lifelike non before. It is said that symbolism is portrayed in this painting in the steel beams - That they are crosses which symbolizes a  "suggesting a notion of salvation through building a better world." (The Studio Museum in Harlem, 2020). This painting uses bold colors overlapping which creates depth to the piece. He would use repetitive shapes for symbolism in his works. This painting makes me feel happy that artists have found a way to express their feelings through paint and canvas because I believe if the artist would have said his true feelings out loud with his voice he would have been harshly judged and critisized but he can use imagery and thoughts and feelings can be left to interpret by the person who is looking at the piece of art. 

                                                        Artist: Jacob Lawrence
                                                      The Architect,  Created in 1959.

The Below photograph was taken by the artist James Van Der Zee. He was considered the "unofficial" chronicler of  African American life in Harlem. He photographed portrait style as well as photo essays shot in barbershops, restaurants, church services, and music and dance halls. His art would document the growing and flourishing and diverse community of the Harlem Renaissance movement in New York. The cool thing about this era during The Great Depression is that art had tended to go to the wayside because people were focusing on caring for themselves by just providing the basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Yet the energy during Harlem Renaissance during this time would be seen and experienced for decades to come. President Roosevelt sponsored a government-funded program called the Federal Art Project which was an employment program for artists, theatre professionals, and musicians.  I love this below photo because it shows a middle-class family of color. If you think about comparing this photo to ones that you see on the internet now in 2021 we tend to have a totally different view of what an African American middle-class family represents. I believe this photo shows class, beauty, respect, heroism, and bravery.  Van Der Zee was quoted saying,   “I wanted to make the camera take what I thought should be there,” the photographer once said. (Dundon,2017). And I believe his work shows this through and through. You can see more amazing photographs here.                   

     Artist: James Van Der Zee, Garveyite Family, Harlem, 1924, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Eric R. Fox), 2015.19.4388

Let's not forget about the women of influence from the Harlem Renaissance in the Early Modern Era. Lois Mailou Jones was one of the longest surviving artists from the Harlem Renaissance era. She continued working and winning accolades up until her death in 1998. As for the Corcoran Gallery, which denied blacks the right to enter its painting competitions, the museum threw Jones a party on her 89th birthday and officially apologized for its racist behavior. (Page,2021).  I believe the art below was part of the American Regionalism style of art. Regionalism style strove to depict ordinary everyday life in middle-class people. To me, the illustrated sketch below shows just that. A middle-class family (the piano symbolizes middle class affluently) enjoying their holiday season together at Christmas in their home. Her paintings have hung in the white house and she was the first black graduate of the Boston School of Fine Arts. Below I was drawn to the black and white sketch but her art was majorly influenced by her travel to other countries such as Haiti and Africa, as well as the Caribbean. To see more of her art click here.  I can relate to this sketch because it reminded me of our own family's holiday traditions. We would gather around the family piano and my Aunt would lead us in traditional holiday songs and we would celebrate together in our warm and inviting home.

                           Artist:  Loïs Mailou Jones, Greetings, ca. 1937-1948, pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.24.15

Below is one of Lois' pieces of art which I think sums up how a lot of the African American community felt. For many years Lois was subject to racism. Not only for being black but for being a woman as well. She would rather ship her artwork to be displayed rather than deliver it in person so she and her work would not be rejected for being a black female. The art elements being used in this piece art bold colors, abstract shapes, and patterns. The shadows and patterns give this painting depth. This painting makes me feel confused because I see so much beauty and talent in black women, I wish that they never had to experience a single day of racism because of the color of their skin. 

Artist: Loïs Mailou Jones, Initiation, Liberia, 1983, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.24.7

Citations:

“The Architect. The Studio Museum in Harlem.” Https://Studiomuseum.Org/Collection-Item/Architect, The Studio Museum, 2020, studiomuseum.org/collection-item/architect.

Dundon, Rian. “In a Controversial Show, This Photographer Revealed Middle-Class Harlem to the Wider World James VanDerZee Saw ‘a People of Great Pride and Fascinating Beauty.’” Timeline, 3 Apr. 2017, timeline.com/james-vanderzee-photographer-harlem-ac3202781dcf.

Page, Melinda. “Lois Mailou Jones and the Art of Perseverance.” Https://Fredericmagazine.Com/2021/02/Lois-Mailou-Jones-Artist-Textile-Design/, Frederik, fredericmagazine.com/2021/02/lois-mailou-jones-artist-textile-design. Accessed 12 July 2021.