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Kerry James Marshall Still Life With Wedding

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Art is a conveyor of whatever message or story a person wishes to share. As a society, we’ve become accustomed to the abundance of diverse messages and stories stemming from a multitude of different cultures and people of varying backgrounds. However, the art scene has not always been this representative of all people. Contemporary artists such as Titus Kaphar, Kerry James Marshall, and Norman Rockwell have taken it upon themselves to proclaim the importance and presence of African Americans in history through art. Using purposeful art composition and meaningful symbolism, these artists address the imbalance of representation between African Americans and whites in history and art . By addressing this imbalance of power, these artists are …show more content…

The painting Still Life With Wedding, Portrait portrays an African American couple in formal clothing , presumably Harriet Tubman and her husband on their wedding day, within a portrait at a museum. Marshall uses formal wedding clothes within his painting to symbolize the mundane aspects of life that were ignored in history and art for African Americans. The symbolism Marshall uses in this painting accurately shows the daily lives of African Americans that were rarely recorded or depicted in art and history. The painting Past Times created by Kerry James Marshall was modeled after A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte, a painting created by George Seurat. Past Times portrays African Americans, dressed in all white, of all ages and genders participating in various activities such as bike riding, swimming, and eating while at the park, similarly Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte depicts the same image with Caucasian subjects instead. The relaxed attire and recreational activities illustrated in Past Times symbolizes the casual and carefree parts of life that were never represented in art or history of African Americans, but almost always for whites such as in Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte. The symbolization Marshall utilizes in his painting …show more content…

While these pieces of art address a hideous section of our history and society, it is actually meant to show that we have made progress to overcome our mistakes. When analyzing these pieces of art we must have a positive outlook on what it is trying to

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Created in the waning days of World War II, Philip Evergood’s oil painting, Wheels of Victory , may at first seem to be a celebration of American industry. The foreground of the 1944 painting is dominated by powerful iron girders, tanks, and a train engine, while an endless line of oil tankers crisscross the background. However, when examined more closely in the context of time, the painting seems to possess a more somber mood than a victorious one. While white train workers gather together in the center of the painting, a black soldier looks on despondently. I believe that the oil painting, Wheels of Victory, by Philip Evergood serves to remind its viewers that although African-Americans contributed to America’s victory in war overseas, they were not allowed to hold good jobs once they returned home to America.

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Allen Locke, Negro takes His Place in American Art, a bit similar to Barnes’, Negro Arts and America, essay is close to how unique Negro ’s Art is and has become. Locke discusses the three objectives of the fifth Heaven Exhibition of the Works of Negro Artists (HEWNA) in which Barnes supports it. He professes, “One is encouragement of the Negro artist; another, the development of Negro art; and third is the promotion of the Negro theme and subject as a vital phase of the artistic expression of American life.

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It is simple, yet unforgettable. It may be sad, yet it shows how much our world has accomplished. Though he may be best known as a famous artist and sculptor, Tyree believes he has a greater role as an leader for the community and an educator for all. Tyree’s profound artwork cannot help but remind the hardship and struggle that African Americans had to endure in order to achieve equality.

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