Wed 3/10 @ 7PM
Fifty years ago, the late art historian Linda Nochlin wrote a widely discussed essay called “Why have there been no great women artists?” which was just re-published in book form in a 50th anniversary edition. In it, she talks about the obstacles that have historically faced women in making art and getting recognized for the art they do make.
Now multiply those difficulties for BLACK women artists. Facing discrimination at every turn, in education, in galleries, in museums and among taste-making critics and other gatekeepers, who are overwhelmingly white and most often men, they have an even higher mountain to climb.
To celebrate Women’s History Month (and looking back at Black History Month), Artists Archives of the Western Reserve is presenting a program called “4 African American Women Artists You Should Know.”
The virtual program is hosted by author/educator/artist Dr. Amalia Amaki. She’s done more than 30 solo shows of her photography, which explores the lives of African women of the Diaspora, incorporating found objects; published five books; curated shows; and taught at multiple colleges and universities, including such top-ranked institutions as Spelman and Morehouse College.
The hour-long program will look at the stories and work of four important artists who are not widely known in contemporary art circles, despite their influence and high level of their work: sculptor Augusta Christine Fells Savage (1892-1952), sculptor Nancy Elizabeth Prophet (1890-1960), painter/printmaker Norma Gloria Morgan (1928-2017) and printmaker/sculptor/documentary filmmaker Camille Billops (1933-2019). These artists have been the focus of Amaki’s personal research.
“The nature of their art, creative individualism and impact warrants a revisit of work that is under-discussed and historically undervalued,” she says. “These women changed the face of art through their support, teaching, and most importantly through their creation. Their work is not only masterful, it also represents important eras in the advancement of African American art.”
The lecture is free and open to all. To register go to artistsarchives.org.
Cleveland, OH 44106