BLACK EXCELLENCE:

In The Arts

Alaine H
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT(1960-1988)
Culturally diverse
background

Street artist to
contemporary artist

Famous for his style

of drawing and
collab with Andy
Warhol

"I don't think about art when I work, I
think about life."
-Jean-Michel Basquiat
Most expensive
painting sold (after
1980s and within
black community)
Died of overdose

Alma Thomas (1891-1978)

Abstract Painter, Teacher
Grew up comfortably in a victorian house
on top of a hill
First to graduate her fine arts school
(Howard University 1924)
Studied colour theory after leaving prior
career path (costume designer)
Racial tension and anti-feminism wasn't
inputted in her art
Grew to fame and was involved in more
expressionism after retirement
First African-American to have a solo
exhibition at the Whitney Musem of
American Art (age of 80)
First African-American to have art
showcased in the White House collection
"Resurrection" 1966
Faith Ringgold(1930-)
Grew up in the Harlem Renaissance
Introduced to the arts by her mom at an
early age
Enrolled at college to grow her art
knowledge
Received Bachelors and went on to be a
teacher
Started working on "American People" -
important works of today
Retired and focused on different art
mediums
Inspiration led her to make African masks,
then quilts for her mother and many others
She has released a children's book and
memoir in the 1990s
Given a few awards for her work in the arts
and in activism
“American People” 1967
Archibald John Motely, Jr.
(Oct. 7 1891- Jan. 16, 1981)
Born in New Orleans Louisiana
Influenced by the Harlem Renaissance
Studied painting at the "Art Institute of Chicago"
Held an exhibition for his paintings
Influenced by writings of Alain Locke and W.E.B.
Du Bois, Motley wrote an essay, "The Negro In
Art"
He later did many portraits and exhibitions and a
solo exhibit in 1928
Motley studied skin tones and the application of it
Participated in the Mural Division of the Illinois
Federal Art Projects
Stopped doing art for eight years after the death of
his wife
Resumed his art after getting inspiration in Mexico
His last painting was in 1972, and he died in 1981
Kara Walker(Nov.
1969-)
Silhouettist, Painter, Filmmaker

Born in Stockton, California

Earned a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts in
1991
She received a Master of Fine Arts degree
in 1994
Graduated and exhibited a mural in NYC
Went on to do multiple solo exhibitions
Has won many awards for her art
contributions
Still an active artist today

Website : @karawalkerstudio.com
Instagram: @kara_walker_official
Edward Mitchell Banister
(1828- Jan 9, 1991)
Started painting in 1884 and went to "Lowell
Institute"
Became more devoted to becoming an artist
after reading a racy quote
In 1876 he was actually the first African American
artist to receive an award
His skill was astonishing and his art was used in
the Philadelphia Centennial
Banister received a first prize medal for a
painting but nearly didn't get it because he was
black
He practiced a lot of landscapes and the
tranquillity of nature was also depicted in many
of his paintings
Banister died on January 9, 1991
UNDER THE OAK"
Beres Hammond
(August 28, 1955-) Grew up listening to R&B and was
R&B Singer largely by icons within the reggae
sector like Peter tosh and Alton Ellis

He released his first recording, which

was a cover of Alton Ellis’s
“Wanderer’

In 1975 he joined Zap Pow and was

planning to start his own solo career.
He later left Zap Pow in 1979

He created his own label “Harmony

House”

He had a peak in 1990 where he

signed a record label with
Penthouse Label

Hammond took a break in 1988 and

resumed in 2001- he is still active
Colin Bootman

Painter, Teacher, Presenter

Most of his work is based on his

experiences in his native land
"Trinidad and Tobago" as
well as
his experiences in adjusting to
his move to NYC.
Augusta
Savage
Sculptor
 Mark
Bradford
Abstract Artist
 "Wanna Be Loved "

Buju Banton
R&B Artist

Songs like:
Wanna Be Loved
Where You Come From
Champion
No Second Class Love
Give I Strength
TAJAE PRINGLE
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTIST

YouTube
@Pringle Art

Website
@tajaepringle.com

Instagram
@pringle.art
Kit Lang
Quilter

Facebook: @KitLang Art

Ergo Josh
Digital Artist , Illustrator, Designer

Youtube
@ergo.josh

Website
ergojosh.com

Instagram
@ergo.josh
THE END