Art Talk to feature three African-American artists
Post Published On:By Taylor Weeks, Student writer
On Thursday, Feb. 9, Arts for the Community at Thomas University (ACTU) will host an “Art Talk at 6” celebrating three late African-American artists of different disciplines from the 20th century – Beauford Delaney, Bob Thompson and Ernie Barnes.
The event is meant to bring attention to black artistry and to help celebrate black history month, according to presenter Richard Curtis, Associate Professor of Art.
“The art talk that I’m going to do will feature three artists that are lesser known,” Curtis said. “They had an important influence on 20th century art.”
He first heard of one the artists, Ernie Barnes, when his painting, “Sugar Shack” was featured in the 1970s television show “Good Times.” According to Barnes’ online biography, he said the painting “recalls a childhood experience” and “shows that African Americans utilize rhythm as a way of resolving physical tension.”
“Sugar Shack” also appears as the cover for Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album “I Want You.” Barnes’ painting appears on six other music album covers, including B.B. King’s “Making Love is Good for You.”
This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The event will be available via www.facebook.com/actu31792 on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. and will be recorded for future viewing.
Photo credits
Beauford Delaney photo:
Photo by Carl Van Vechten, 1952. Image from the United States Library of Congress.
Bob Thompson photo:
Photo by Dorothy Beskind, 1965, New York. Image from Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Ernie Barnes photo: 1974. Image from the Ernie Barnes Family Trust.
