Via https://africanamericanblackartwork.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/once-upon-a-time-in-america/
Famous and not so famous African-American artists have exquisitely shared portrayals of modern and historical occasions and people, cultural perspectives, and the experiences and struggles of minorities through their artwork. This short article highlights the critical work of Black artists who assisted to bring African-American experiences into the elite art world. The art captures historical and contemporary experiences. Some art captures race and gender relations. Black magics as a motion speaks directly to the requirements and goals of Black America. The Black artist speaks to the spiritual and cultural needs of Black individuals in their artistry.
African-American arts represent a cultural movement. It includes lots of visual artists, efficiency artists, carvers, writers, musicians, and more. The specialists 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.
African Americans had a tragic history which gave many heroes to the world. It all started when Africans were held captives and were brought to America as slaves. In the 19th century, there were not many black people in America, so the Africans were known as slave because they were different from the Americans, which was not a fair notion. The African Americans were sold openly on markets and people bought several, especially the rich ones for their day to day work. The women and children were sold as maids while the men were being used in the fields and as labors.
This period of 19th century was evil as people did not care for other human beings because of different appearance and language. The African Americans were forced, beaten and sometimes even shot for following their masters who had paid a decent amount of money for them. In this disgust atmosphere, many free black people who were not slaves at all were kidnapped and sold as slaves for extra profits. The entire black community was suffering because of such inhumanity. A lot of the slaves were forced to make jewelry and other artifacts for owners dealing in crafts. It was the crucial point in the history that unknowingly gave birth to a new form, African American Art.
Black people found that little comfort in their slave life from singing in groups, painting and other forms of art. For a group of people living in the 1800s as slaves with nothing else to do, it slowly began shaping a new breed of society for African Americans which the masters could never see. Many humble owners who were secretly against slavery, invested in private tutoring for many artists who showed great flair for art and music. Numerous black artist were trained during their slavery which itself is an astonishing fact. Once the civil war broke between the confederate and the union, it was the light of hope for the black people but their dream of being free had to wait for 4 long years which led over 600,000 people dead from both sides.
After the union had defeated the confederate, the slavery was abolished completely and the people were given equal rights. This gave rise to the African American art as artists could paint and display their paintings and artwork in the museums. Not just the beautiful black art, the unforgettable history of African Americans gave birth to the most soothing genre of music, “Blues”. Irrespective of the painful history, African Americans adapted in the hurtful situations and unknowingly gave two of the most beautiful forms of art to the world.
Black artists highlight racial pride, an appreciation of African heritage, and a commitment to produce works that show the culture and experiences of black individuals. In each era, occasions of the day galvanize black artists to produce, arrange, and transform the world.