A Celebration of Great African-American Artists of the 20th Century
Samella Lewis
Samella Lewis is one of the most eminent scholars of African-American art. Born in New Orleans, she attended Hampton University and Ohio State University, and at the latter she earned the university's first-ever combined doctoral degree (in Fine Arts and Art History). A teacher, writer, and curator, she is committed to turning her vast research in the areas of African, African-American, Asian, and Caribbean art into cultural resources. She founded the Museum of African-American Art in Los Angeles and serves as editor-in-chief of the International Review of African-American Art. Her paintings, sculpture, and graphics have been exhibited nationally.
Affiliation: Hampton University, Ohio State University
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Cleo, 1996 Cleo is a lithograph of a contemporary young woman named after the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. By suggesting a continuity between ancient Egypt and present-day African-American culture, Lewis expresses a pride of relationship with the African-based Egyptian civilization. The modern Cleo holds two yellow roses, which symbolize delicate beauty to the artist. A classical hairstyle frames her sweet face, and her large, gentle eyes confront our gaze forthrightly. Primarily a figurative artist, Lewis placed Cleo in the center of the composition, within a bold shaded area with sloping sides that might be interpreted as a beam of light from above. |
Romare Bearden
Selma Burke
Elizabeth Catlett
Alex Corbbrey
Sam Gilliam
Lois Mailou Jones
Paul F. Keene, Jr.
Gwen Knight-Lawrence
Jacob Lawrence
Charles White
Hale Woodruff