Harlem and Art

 The Harlem Renaissance occured in the years between World War I and the Great Depression and the onset of World War II and was a pioneering period for black artistic culture, identity and expression during a time of severe segregation and inequality.  With a large occurrance of the discrimination happening in the South, thousands of African-Americans moved North and settled in Harlem, NY, which became the hotbed of artistic expression, forming the Harlem Renaissance.  

Artistic expression is a luxury.  Time is required for investment into a painting, sculpture, musical composition...and time is a luxury not afforded to many, especially those prevented from certain locations, jobs, accomodations, salaries, and educational opportunities.  While segregation, oppression and discrimination were still very much a reality, the community formation of black people in Harlem offered the opportunity for support, education, cultural pride and more financial freedom within the small bubble and as such an uprising of expressive art ballooned.  

James Lesene Wells was a prominent graphic artist for over 60 years.  Though he produced art before the Great Depression, he was greatly influenced by that time period and began producing affordable and reproduceable art through lithographs, wood cuttings and etchings (Black Art Story).  He focused primarily on African-American culture.  The print below, named Looking Upward, depicts the struggle faced by black people in northern United States at that time as so many had migrated north into urban areas.  The print shows a seemingly lost person in an urban environment looking about while carrying a tray with small buildings on it representative of home.  The simplicity of the color and format makes the meaning and feeling of vastness,  that much more powerful as well as reflecting the modern cubism style.  

Looking Upward--James Lesene Wells, 1928 (Black Art Story)

Augusta Savage was also a part of the Great Migration and moved from Florida to NewYork to pursue an 
education and artistic opportunities.  She was a sculpture artist who became widely known with Gamin.  
The sculpture so beautifully captures the youthful sideways glance of a young street boy with his cap 
cocked to the side.  His look is natural and unposed, the texture of skin and cloth distinguished, 
showcasing Savage's increadible talent and artistic ability at capturing and freezing a minute moment in 
time.

Gamin--Augusta Savage, 1929 (The Johnson Collection)

Archibald Motley Jr. was an artist in Chicago during the Harlem Renaissance and though he was not 
located in Harlem, was still influenced by what was occuring there.  He is known for his brightly colored, 
active scenes, often from his segregated neighborhood.  While abstract was a popular art form, Motley 
chose to paint people as they are, or at least how he saw them.  The painting below, done in vibrant colors, 
depicts the life, movement and joy found within the community.  The lighting and setting are simple, free 
any additional decor, and yet you feel the energy vibrating from the painting.  This painting is simple and 
ever so slightly cartoonish while still radiating life.  This piece brings me joy and I would gladly hang it in
my house.  

Tongues (Holy Rollers ...

Tongues (Holy Rollers)--Archibald John Motley Jr., 1929 (MoMA)


Source:

Profile: James Lesesne Wells (1902-1993) – Black Art Story 

The Prints of James Lesesne Wells – Black Artists in the Museum (black-artists-in-the-museum.com)

https://thejohnsoncollection.org/augusta-savage/ 

https://www.moma.org/collection/works/425483



Comments

  1. Jack WittJuly 23, 2024 at 12:52 PM

    These are very nice art pieces. I especially like "Gamin". However, I always feel sad when I see a statue without arms, even a bust. "Looking Upward" confuses me. I prefer to have some linear perspective to look at in art."Tongues" also has some nice energy to it. I can almost hear jazz music when I hear it. Some excellent music cam from Harlem!

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  2. Damien NewlinJuly 25, 2024 at 7:21 PM

    It's sad to say, but even today, not many people appreciate the cultural impact the Harlem Renaissance had on modern art. I'm glad you showcased some great pieces from it! The symbolism of "Looking Upward" and the soft realism of "Gambin" show just how diverse the Harlem Renaissance was, and you did a great job distinguishing them!

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