Spanning over two centuries from around 1800 to the present day, this volume chronicles the ways in which Black Americans have used portraiture to envision themselves in their own eyes. Remembering ‘Two Centuries of Black American Art’ at LACMA 45 years ago, this book is a companion to the exhibition of the same name that reframes portraiture. This selection of 140 works highlights emancipation, portraits from the Civil Rights era and the spirit of Black Lives Matter.
Countering a visual culture that often demonises Blackness and fetishises the spectacle of Black pain, these images centre 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.
