This is the third article in a series of articles on the friendship between two African American artists, a “friendship beyond understanding”. In every article The Harlem Renaissance is the context of the story.
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Portrait of a Friendship 2: Richmond Barthé and Richard Bruce Nugent
This is the second article in a series of articles on the friendship between two African American artists, a “friendship beyond understanding”. In every article The Harlem Renaissance plays a role.
Rob Perrée tries to answer the questions the friendship evokes.
First published May 2020
Richmond Barthé, The Singing Slave, 1940
Portrait of a Friendship 1: Beauford Delaney and James Baldwin
This is the first article in a series of articles on the friendship between two African American artists, a “friendship beyond understanding”. In every article The Harlem Renaissance plays a role.
Rob Perrée tries to answer the questions the friendship evokes.
First published April 2020
Portrait of James Baldwin, 1965 (oil on canvas). Chrysler Museum of Art Collection, Museum
Strong Women: Wangechi Mutu
She depicts Goddesses, monsters, and animals that incorporate a new and subversive mythology. She facilitates a transgression and in turn makes the viewer an accomplice in decoding imagery. If the female body does carry the language and nuances of culture, there is something conspiratorial in taking imagery— subverting it—and creating a new language.