The African diaspora - a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade and Western colonialism - has generated a wide array of artistic achievements in our century, from blues to reggae, from the paintings of Henry Ossawa Tanner to the video installations of Keith Piper. This new study of 20th-century black art is the first to concentrate on the art works themselves, and on how these works, created during a major social upheaval and transformation, use black culture both as subject and as context. Professor Powell traces and explores the visual representations of black culture throughout the 20th century, to racial and cultural identity used as artistic content in the 1980s and 1990s. A conclusion discussing black society and culture in 20th-century film and video, and biographies of the many artists discussed in the book, complete this comprehensive work.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Powell, an art historian at Duke University, has filled this small volume with an amazing amount of visual and textual information, including nearly 180 illustrations, concise artist profiles, and extended interpretations of the social and cultural contexts for every conceivable art form, from painting and sculpture to collage and performance art, either by or about African Americans. Armed with a set of perfectly honed analytical tools, Powell winds his way through this dense century of political upheaval, cataclysmic violence, and courageous creativity with fluid grace. He begins with a resounding discussion of how the term black has come to embrace a wide range of "African diasporal experiences," and why black art has always been profoundly involved in exploring black cultural identity. Many crucial and unresolved issues pertaining to black values and the role of black artists emerge, and as Powell brings fresh insights into matters social and aesthetic, he tracks each phase of the evolution of the visualization of black consciousness by highlighting seminal works by Aaron Douglas, Jacob Lawrence, Melvin Edwards, Lois Mailou Jones, and Alison Saar, to name just a very few of the innovative, paradigm-shifting artists Powell presents. Donna Seaman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Contexts, Talents, and Cross-fertilization,
By Steven S Dornbusch (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century (World of Art) (Paperback)
Richard J. Powell's Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century is fascinating reading for ever type of reader: aficionados of Negritude, lovers of prints, paintings, or sculpture, lovers of cinema and pop culture, students of Caribbean cultures, lovers of contemporary or modern art, and students of African-American history. There is truly something here for everyone. This small paperback book is jammed with illustrations rarely seen. Powell's keen eye and sharp intellect make this a rare treat. Powell approaches his subject from many angles, and we are left inspired to seek more. A fantastic buy.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
20th Century Black Art Discussed in Dynamic Fashion,
This review is from: Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century (World of Art) (Paperback)
Examine the African diaspora - a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade and western colonialism while learning about the lives of african american artists who dipicted the temprament of this timeperiod through visual arts. Catlett, Bearden, Mailou Jones, Lawrence, and many others artists are discussed. The "New Negro", Post-Depression period, Souls of Black folks and divided souls of the african american (europe versus african) which called racial idenity into question are also discussed. Very well written and I highly recommend.
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