I Put a Spell on You—Vodou Art
Vodou is one of the most misunderstood belief systems in the world. Derided by the Church and popular culture, in fact it is a fascinating system of...
Candy Bedworth 21 July 2025
#Black Artists
The Fabulous Sculpture and Mysterious Life of Edmonia Lewis
Edmonia Lewis (c. 1844-1907) was quite a force of nature. She was an African American and Native American woman who became an...
Alexandra Kiely 4 July 2025
Art as Liberation: Elizabeth Catlett’s Compassionate Portrayal of Black Identity
Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) stands tall as a monumental force in both art and social justice. With a career over seven dynamic decades, she...
Sabrina Phillips 19 June 2025
The Multi-Sensory Universe of Nick Cave
Nick Cave activates our imaginations with his tangible soundsuit sculptures, soulful dance performances and whimsical installations.
Marga Patterson 16 June 2025
Amy Sherald: American Sublime at the Whitney Museum
Amy Sherald (b. 1973) has identified herself as “an American realist painter painting American people.” The current retrospective of her work...
Tom Anderson 5 May 2025
Official Portraits of Michelle and Barack Obama
In 2018, the official portraits of former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled, becoming part of the Smithsonian...
Karolina 29 April 2025
Lavett Ballard’s African American and Female Narratives
Lavett Ballard in her art practice creates a lexicon of images of African American culture and female identity. The physical testimonies of the...
Maia Heguiaphal 4 March 2025
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica at the Art Institute of Chicago
The verb “to project” has a variety of meanings. It can allude to planning a project, presenting an idea, or promoting a concept. The exhibition...
Aniela Rybak-Vaganay 20 February 2025
Where Is the Queen? Black Women in Western Art
For centuries, Black women appeared in Western art as slaves, servants, or exotic novelties. But as regal queens and leaders? Shamefully not. We will...
Candy Bedworth 17 February 2025
Amy Sherald and the Quiet Revolution of Black Portraiture
Imagine a portrait of a woman, her skin rendered in shades of gray, her gaze direct yet serene, dressed in a strikingly modern, patterned dress. The...
Sabrina Phillips 7 February 2025
Five Black Female Artists You Should Know
From the Venice Biennale to the Turner Prize to museums and gallery representation, Black female artists are gaining more and more popularity in the...
Carlotta Mazzoli 7 February 2025
A Vibrant Perspective: Ivey Hayes and His Colorful Works of Art
A vibrant perspective of Ivey Hayes’ art has always stood out in my mind. Before his death in 2012, the South Eastern North Carolina artist was...
Rachel Witte 22 January 2025
