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ART FACT FRIDAY #41 Kerry James Marshall (b. 1955)
ABOUT THE WORK Kerry James Marshall creates large-scale figurative paintings that center Black life within domestic, historical, and public scenes. His signature deep-black skin tones serve as a corrective to the art-historical erasure of Black bodies. Marshall weaves symbolism, narrative clarity, and painterly precision to construct a new visual canon. WHY THEIR VOICE MATTERS Marshall repositions Black life at the center of Western art history, offering a powerful counter-ar

William Mandela Matthews
Nov 22, 20251 min read


Art Fact Friday #39 Kevin Beasley
An artist acclaimed for installations and sculptures made of found materials including clothing, sports equipment, and personal...

William Mandela Matthews
Apr 26, 20242 min read


Art Fact Friday #37 Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
An artist whose works are characterized by a use of color, composition, gesture, and directions of the light. Found images, memories,...

William Mandela Matthews
Apr 12, 20243 min read


Art Fact Friday #36 Dawoud Bey
An artist recoginized for engaging and compelling portraits, the artist investigates formal and material methodologies which creates...

William Mandela Matthews
Apr 5, 20243 min read


Art Fact Friday #35 Jordan Casteel
An american figurative painter, with a commitment to social justice and serious devotion to art practice. Through portraiture the artist...

William Mandela Matthews
Mar 28, 20243 min read


Art Fact Friday #32 Njideka Akunyili Crosby
A Nigerian-born visual artist who navigates the cultural terrain between their adopted home in America and their native Nigeria. The...

William Mandela Matthews
Mar 1, 20243 min read


Art Fact Friday #31 Julie Mehretu
An Ethiopian American visual artist, whose work is characterized by large scale multi-layered abstract paintings. The artist shows the...

William Mandela Matthews
Feb 23, 20243 min read


Art Fact Friday #30 Mickalene Thomas
A mixed media artist working in paint, collage, photography, videography , and installation. Using intricate compositions in an effort to...

William Mandela Matthews
Feb 16, 20242 min read


Art Fact Friday #28 Amy Sherald
The artist best known for the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama and for a 2020, Vanity Fair cover featuring murder victim Breonna...

William Mandela Matthews
Feb 2, 20242 min read


Art Fact Friday #24 Philemona Williamson
A nationally renowned contemporary artist recognized by vibrantly colored, dynamic paintings. The artist contemporaries included...

William Mandela Matthews
Jan 5, 20242 min read


Art Fact Friday #23 Jean-Michele Basquiat
One of the more influential and successful African-American artist of the 1980s. Seen as a celebrity, represented by major blue-chip...

William Mandela Matthews
Dec 29, 20232 min read


Art Fact Friday #21 Charles W White
African American painter, printmaker, and teacher. An important figure in the Chicago Black Renaissance. The artist completed murals in a...

William Mandela Matthews
Dec 15, 20232 min read


ArtFactFriday #20 Dec 8th Ming Smith
The first female member to join Kamoinge, a collective of black photographers in New York in the 1960s. As well as the first black woman...

William Mandela Matthews
Dec 8, 20232 min read


Art Fact Friday #18 Nov 24th Sydney James
Last but certainly not least of 4 Detroit artists I will be highlighting during November. Sydney is making an impact in the contemporary...

William Mandela Matthews
Nov 24, 20232 min read


Art Fact Friday #17 Nov 17th Rashaun Rucker
The 3rd of 4 Detroit artists I will be highlighting during November who is making an impact in the contemporary art world. I was able to...

William Mandela Matthews
Nov 16, 20233 min read


Art Fact Friday #16 Nov 10th Judy Bowman
The 2nd of 4 Detroit artists I will be highlighting during November who is making an impact in the contemporary art world.

William Mandela Matthews
Nov 10, 20232 min read


Art Fact Friday #15 11-3-23 Mario Moore
For the month of November I will be highlighting 4 Detroit artists who are making an impact in the contemporary art world. I was able to...

William Mandela Matthews
Nov 2, 20232 min read


Art Fact Friday #14 10-27-23 Ernie Barnes
Premiere 20th century artist noted for his unique style of movement and the first professional athlete in America to become a noted...

William Mandela Matthews
Oct 27, 20233 min read


Art Fact Friday #13 10-20-23 Gordon Parks
American photographer,author, poet, composer and director of film. Recognized by iconic photos of poor Americans during the 1940s; later...

William Mandela Matthews
Oct 20, 20233 min read
Art Fact Friday #12 10-13-23 Jacob Lawrence
The most widely acclaimed African American artist of this century, and One of the first nationally recognized African American painters....

William Mandela Matthews
Oct 13, 20233 min read
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