A Blog By Saatchi Art

Art Background 101

The late acclaimed artist Jacob Lawrence was born in New Jersey on September 7, 1917. At the age of 13, Jacob Lawrence moved with his relatives to Harlem, NY, and it was this relocation that assisted form his artistic voice and eyesight. Dwelling at the centre of the Harlem Renaissance, Lawerence became influenced by the flourishing neighborhood all-around him. This influenced him to make art and turn out to be the revered painter the earth knows him as currently.

As a prominent “dynamic cubist” painter, Lawrence began his inventive exercise at a young age. He took quite a few art lessons in the early 1930s at the Utopia Community House, which artist Charles Alston ran. This inventive education and learning authorized him to carry on to ideal his artwork design and discover diverse mediums of art up until finally he was in higher faculty. 

Informed by his experiences as a kid of The Good Migration (1910–1970), Jacob Lawrence often painted tempera-based collection of historical narratives from the perspective of a black man living in America. By age 21, Lawrence produced his first renowned painting sequence, The Migration Sequence. Centering on the chief of the Haitian Revolution, Normal Toussaint L’Ouverture, this collection includes 41 paintings. Lawrence went on to develop distinctive historical sequence on topics this sort of as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and his masterpiece on The Fantastic Migration. By means of intricate designs, vividly coloured brush strokes, and geometric kinds, Jacob Lawerence helmed his personal distinctive inventive type of “dynamic cubism” influenced by both of those The Harlem Renaissance and cubism.

Jacob Lawrence continued to encourage and influence the group about him. In 1941, Lawrence turned the to start with African American artist to have artwork acquired by The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOMA). This was a historical minute that broke racial boundaries amid segregation. Lawrence ongoing to have an illustrious vocation, highlighting black historical past and culture by way of wonderful, distinctive compositions right until his demise in 2000. 

In honor of Jacob Lawrence’s birthday, test out these 5 Saatchi Art artists inspired by the acclaimed painter.

Desiree Vaniecia

Centered in Dallas, Texas, up to date artist Desiree Vaniecia honors the strength and vulnerability of black females in her paintings. As a result of her brightly colored portraiture, Desiree meticulously juxtaposes powerfully composed postures and system language versus neutral facial expressions. Desiree invites each viewer to obstacle the stereotypes crafted by modern society and media of black girls. Desiree Vaniecia’s remarkable overall body of work has been exhibited across Texas. See more of Desiree’s operate here.

Demarcus McGaughey

Similar to Jacob Lawrence, mixed-media artist Demarcus McGaughey is influenced by the beauty, vibrancy, and resilience of folks of color in The us. Demarcus portrays these properties by way of prosperous colors and daring patterns. His artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally, such as at The Other Artwork Good Brooklyn. See much more of Demarcus’s do the job listed here.

Helena Cardow

Knowledgeable by her tutorial history, Helena Cardow’s paintings discover the intersectionality concerning race, gender, and sexuality. Her vivid, contrasting colored portraits invite the viewer to query the ability of the gaze. Helena’s artwork has been highlighted across the Uk, most a short while ago at the Southwark Park Galleries in London, United kingdom. See more of Helena’s operate in this article.

Emmanuel Akolo

The people today all over him encourage Nigerian-based mostly modern day artist Emmanuel Akolo. Emmanuel’s earth-toned figurative art highlights his cultural community and documents social injustices. Through his artwork, he hopes to evoke love and tolerance throughout humanity. See far more of Emmanuel’s operate in this article.

Ekow Brew

Working towards in Ghana, Ekow Brew’s artwork explores the entire world from his viewpoint. Ekow creates new realms of realities by means of common figures and motifs in his vibrant electronic art. These altered realities stand for his expressions as a reaction to the activities he faces. Ekow Brew’s operate has been exhibited throughout Ghana. See a lot more of Ekow’s get the job done here.

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