Negro art became of consequence in the United States during the 20th century in the general progress the Negro has made in all the cultural ac- tivities, including music, drama, poetry, and fiction. Not only have there developed Negro painters and sculptors of admirable talents as individuals, but they have produced pictures and statuary genuinely interpretative of the race. No first rate genius has appeared so far, but Rich- mond Barthe's sculpture comes near making the grade, particularly his dancers, female and male, with their Negro rhythms. Leadership among the painters is ascribed frequently to the Pennsylvania Primitive, Horace Pippin (d. 1946), given recognition by New York's Museum of Modern Art, where he was en- rolled among "Masters of Popular Painting, European and American." Other contemporary names of note among painters are Hale A. Woodruff, Aaron Douglas, William H. Johnson, Archibald J. Motley, Jr., Rex Gorleigh, Charles Sallee, Eldzier Cortor, Charles Seebree, and Palmer Hayden. All of these artists are seeking and partially succeeding in putting into their pictures something that is characteristic of the Negro. So far, however, they have followed the trails blazed by white artists who have succeeded in catching the spirit of the black and brown peoples. They ignore the ancestral sources that produced the amazing African sculpture, an integral factor in the development of white Cubism.

ok, i'm sorry, but i read through the first paragraph and am having problems. why does it sound like they're surprised? and what exactly is negro art? i mean, do we have white art? hispanic art? (no offense in anyway to you wer). perhaps someone can enlighten me. does it have to do with the times or something? when there was much ignorance about different cultures and peoples?

it was copyrighted in 1953...thought it might be an interesting retrospective...or do ya'll think it is best left in the past?

no, because african american culture is part of the present, i think we should keep it and showcase their art past and present.

I agree that we should have a topic on African American culture, but would you be offended if I started it anew, under the name, Black Art? I may be over-sensitive, but 'Negro Art' doesn't sound right to me - don't know why that word still exists. It doesn't make these artists sound like the proud, majestic people they are. I'd also like to merge AFrican and American black artists together, because their work have so much in common, and because I find their work in a league of their own.

Are they artists who are black, or is it artwork that depicts black people? Or both?

They are black artists, and from what I've seen, their work is almost a whole different genre from that of white American, AFrican and European artists. It has a very ethnic feel to it, the colours are fantastic, there's a strong African undercurrent - it's great stuff. I know exactly what Wer meant by creating this topic. Personally I owe alot to black African artists in my country - it is their art that has always been an inspiration to me, that led me to do a form of art that is truly creative, and not just a copy of reality; their art that truly depicts Africa, not that of the white people down there, who all paint African scenes in pastels. Africa is not about pastels. It's about life and energy and the brightness of our clear skies. I'd love to show some pictures of black Namibian and South African Artists here, nd to learn more about AFro American artists, but not under the name Negro. It's too fifties, and I can't help but associate it with the negative implication this term had had until far too recently. If we should get black artists and art lovers to participate here, I don't want them staring into that word in my conference - I respect them too much.

i agree, Africa is the opposite of pastel. bold and vibrant. just the very name of the country indicates that to me. yes, do open it under a new name cuz i felt the same way, riette. we've had some excellent black painters who depict life during slavery. it's good that they painted their life so we can balance it off of the "owners" perspectives.

Thank you for that, Wolf. I was scared I was going to be trashed for this. So, I'm just going to freeze the topic, and open it under a new name.