African-American Art
This course considers the history of African-American art and artists from the American colonial period to the present. We will discuss issues including the relationship between African and African-American art; the New Negro movement and the Harlem Renaissance; the blurring of distinctions between fine and folk art; the Black Arts movement; and the progression toward abstraction, feminism, and postmodernism. We will discuss the larger question, "What is African-American art?" Narrowly defined, it is art made by African-Americans, but are there aesthetic qualities, subject matters, intentions, held in common by these works that warrant their inclusion in a separate category called "African-American art"? As we discuss what the paintings, sculpture, photographs and works in other media may have in common, and how they may connect, we will also consider the ways in which each work is uniquely individual, rising above categorization.
This course considers the history of African-American art and artists from the American colonial period to the present. We will discuss issues including the relationship between African and African-American art; the New Negro movement and the Harlem Renaissance; the blurring of distinctions between fine and folk art; the Black Arts movement; and the progression toward abstraction, feminism, and postmodernism. We will discuss the larger question, "What is African-American art?" Narrowly defined, it is art made by African-Americans, but are there aesthetic qualities, subject matters, intentions, held in common by these works that warrant their inclusion in a separate category called "African-American art"? As we discuss what the paintings, sculpture, photographs and works in other media may have in common, and how they may connect, we will also consider the ways in which each work is uniquely individual, rising above categorization.
- Teacher: Jennifer L Streb
JC_SEMESTER: 23 SP