This article highlights the pivotal work of Black artists who assisted to bring African-American experiences into the elite art world. Black Arts as a movement speaks straight to the needs and aspirations of Black America. The Black artist speaks to the spiritual and cultural needs of Black people in their artistry.
The practitioners of Black arts are inspired by a desire to face white power structures and assert an African American cultural identity. Black arts aim to serve the neighborhood and artists.
James Van Der Zee was a celebrated African American photographer who documented black New York for much of the 20th century. Van Der Zee was New York’s leading black photographer during the Harlem Renaissance. His images emphasized the dignity, beauty and prosperity of black people at a time when the dominant culture didn’t.
Black artists stress racial pride, an appreciation of African heritage, and a dedication to produce works that show the culture and experiences of black people. In each period, events of the day galvanize black artists to develop, organize, and transform the world.