What is Black Art?
Black art, or African American art, is so diverse that it cannot be defined by one single definition. Black art began in slavery times and has had a major impact on American art as a whole. Black art provides a variety of themes that make it pleasing to the eye, no matter what form its in.
Black art has multiple influences from Africa, Europe, and the US. Going back to the 17th century, African Americans have been producing art in many forms. Quilting, pottery, paintings, and sculptures are just a few of the ways blacks expressed themselves through art.
Black art contains portrayals of many emotions and hardships that the African American population has had to overcome. Bursting with color and creativity, black paintings in particular are extremely popular even to non-black art collectors. The human body has always been depicted in black art for the beauty and shape of the African body in sculptures and paintings alike. Black art breaks both scaling and linear barriers by catching the eye through visual abstraction.
Aside from the major contribution that black art has made to the art world as a whole, it represented hope to the African American community. Art was a way for blacks to express themselves when they had no other freedoms to demonstrate their talents. In some cases, art was a way for slaves to purchase their freedom from slavery. Modern black art continues to depict the many emotions and lifestyles of African Americans. Today, black art is enjoyed by all in homes, museums and art galleries.