Artistic Achievements of African Artisans Inspired Modern Art

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

I recently had the privilege of visiting an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art "Heroic Africans" which highlighted artistic achievements of African artisans. I spent time in the galleries sketching original artifacts. From these sketches I created a series of artworks.

This particular artwork draws inspiration from a sculpture of a king. This beard is braided and the sculpture may have contained his actual hair.

Title: Rain King
inspiration: African Hero Series at Metropolitan Museum of Art
Size: 20x20" Watercolor on CANVAS
Media: archival watercolor technique with varnish, allows this art to be displayed without a frame.

Purchase: click here->African Art

In a room decorated Sister Parish protégée Libby Cameron combines chocolate browns, silvery grays, acid yellow and a touch of turquoise. This designer knows that a room shouldn't be too perfect -- it should always hold a surprise or two. African art adds the perfect touch that complements the colors and adds global flair.

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