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The Black Female Body as Art

What They Did Not Teach You in School

By SAYHERNAME Morgan SankofaPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Intimacy- Thomas Blackshear

Throughout my time taking Art-History courses in college, a lot of the dialogue that accompanies the great artists in their religions, class systems, landscapes, themselves, and women are generally white, or with the "borrowing" of an exotic woman whether that have been Asian, Tahitian, or of African-Descent. That is why I have such a deep interest when I see images of black people in art, and their relationships to the artist, or to the other objects, or scenes depicted in the work. When I found Mickalene Thomas, through doing work in an Women's Studies course, she was the first Queer Black artist that struck my interest. For me, when a black artist interests their images, flavor, and their politics onto a work of art, this is such a powerful act. For me, painters & drawers strike a fascination and wonder.

The images that strike me the most are usually of black women, whether it be political, sexual, fantastical, or historical. I get even more of a rush if the artist is actually a woman of color. I have always felt that art is power, because if your art is deemed significant, it will accumulate wonder, money, and praise that has the ability to become a work of art copied and kept for hundreds and up to thousands of years. This opportunity seems amazing to merge an accessible talent to create curiosity in millions of people worldwide. Images have meaning, and are so fitting in who we enjoy, what matters, and who we are inspiring to emulate.

To get to the point of my post, I want to explore a few pieces of art centered around powerful images of black women throughout history:

How about we start religiously?

Harmonia Rosales has sparked buzz on her "Creation of God" artwork. This is based on of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." It is one of my favorite ways that modern artists use, when they take classic, "powerful" works, and insert black bodies into their place. This challenging of the "greats" finally takes the focus off of white bodies being the control, being everything, being the only thought of the origin of life.

Here she is:

Creation of God

The Creation of God 2

The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo

Which is better? Maybe that is not the right question. But the creation of the new painting creates more questions and creates new interest and energy in the previous and new work.

The black female body in art sometimes is used to show tradition in its structure. For instance, in "Black Bottom Stomp" and "Acheron" by Alison Saar, she pays homage and respect to the black people affected in the Great Mississippi Flood in the 1920s. She titled "Black Bottom Stomp" after a jazz song in 1925 by Jelly Roll Morton. And “Acheron” (2016), named for one of the seven rivers of the Underworld in Greek mythology, features a black woman standing in water up to her navel, carrying a bowl over her head. Her white dress, transparent from the water, implies the vulnerability of flood victims.

Acheron - Alison Saar

Black Bottom Stomp

I would be cheating my readers if I did not show and explain at least two works of art by the fantastic Queer Black Artist, the exquisite Mickalene Thomas. She uses art to display her queer gaze on the black female body using bright colors, mixed media, strong poses, and has even used herself as art to show the dramatic display that the media portrays black women, and contrasts how far from the truth this image truly is. She has shown the influence of black women in comedy, music, and literature with her display "Do I Look Like A Lady" (2016). She shows history on grand scales, incorporating photography, video, and always with her signature rhinestones... because why not?

Here are some of my favorite works by Thomas:

Les Trois Noires, 2006

The patterns, the slight touches, the varied gazes, legs spread, the comfortability of the models; it's sensual, it's oozing with natural black beauty, it shows sisterhood and peace, and it is by far my favorite piece by Thomas.

Negress with Green Nails

Lastly, I want to introduce Jamaican born artist Tamara Natalie Madden. She used art as healing during her battle with Kidney Disease and uses allegories to display people in the African Diaspora with honor and respect. She passed away from cancer last year in 2017, but her artwork will continue to strike and move future generations with black beauty. They are striking.

Omi and Her Ancestors

The point is to strike curiosity about how the image of the black woman is shown in society, and also what our bodies can represent. We can represent God, jazz, and even our ancestors.

Much Love To All Of My Readers <3

art
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About the Creator

SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa

Say Her Name

https://www.aapf.org/sayhername

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