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-archive to centuries of omission. His work has transformed institutional priorities and the way museums collect and display Black figuration.

MILESTONES & HIGHLIGHTS

• Major retrospective Mastry (MCA Chicago, The Met, LACMA)

• Exhibited at MoMA, Whitney, and Tate Modern

• MacArthur “Genius” Fellow

• Held in top global museum and private collections

FOR COLLECTORS

Marshall’s work is rare, foundational, and considered essential for any serious collection focused on contemporary Black art.

HASHTAGS

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