Abstract: In the nineteenth century, African American artists began working in the Neoclassical style to produce works that were classically inspired and drew their subject matter from antiquity. Through revolutionary changes in society that resulted in access to more resources, including educational opportunities, patrons, and freedom to travel, African American artists were increasingly able to display their artistic talents and receive well deserved recognition. This essay discusses artworks produced during this period by two key African American artists, commenting on their different levels of access to training and travel, and examining the ways in which they were influenced by Neoclassical artistic styles. Key works studied include Moses (After Michelangelo), a marble sculpture produced in 1875 by Edmonia Lewis, and Mrs. Abraham White, Jr. and Daughter Rose, created in 1810 by the portrait painter Joshua Johnson.

Abstract: Throughout history, African American artists have been very influential. They have lent their voices and creativity to the world of art and the world of superheroes. Breaking through many barriers, African American graphic artists created a way forward for artistic expression, gaining access to resources that helped to push self-representation forward. After the fighting is over, black superheroes have to walk back into a world where people will still discriminate against them because of the color of their skin. They do not only have to fight physical threats, but the collective threat of society’s view of them. This reflects the ongoing racial issues faced in society today. Viewers of comics, or cartoons, may be made aware of this in stories like “Static Shock,” a comic produced by Milestone Media.

Abstract: Unfortunately, most of the paintings and drawings from ancient Greece have been lost or destroyed, including the famous sculptures produced during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. However, thanks to the efforts of Roman artists, marble copies have been made of the most notable Greek sculptures allowing the iconic statues to indirectly withstand the passage of time. The ancient Greek sculptures from this period are as evocative as they are immemorial. The formal elements and techniques cultivated by ancient Greek sculptors have inspired and influenced several artists and movements. This essay showcases the evolution and development of Greek sculptures throughout various time periods by presenting a comparative analysis of the Classical Doryphoros and the Hellenistic Laocoön and His Sons.

Abstract: This essay highlights how the artist Charles White responded to the civil rights movement’s emphasis on educational equality through his art. The civil rights movement took place from 1954-1968. This movement was spearheaded by African Americans to end racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and racial segregation in the United States. Art produced during the civil rights movement was known as “Freedom Art,” and was an expression of what African Americans dealt with daily, how they managed to survive their struggles, as well as being a call for justice and equality. There were several photographers and artists working during the civil rights movement, and this short essay focuses on Charles W. White. He is most known as a printmaker, but here his 1961 charcoal drawing titled Awaken from the Unknowing is discussed.

Abstract: This paper explores the ways in which Edward Mitchell Bannister worked within the style of Romanticism, a movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, and that focused on inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. Many artists within this movement chose to produce landscapes that sought to capture the experience of the sublime in nature. Romanticism is not only about experiencing the awe of nature, but this will be a major talking point in the paper. Edward Mitchell Bannister’s biography is explored briefly at the start of the paper, before his artworks and the ways in which they reflect stylistic characteristic of Romanticism are considered.

This feature documents ongoing projects involving non-traditional art materials in Design III and IV. In these foundational courses, students are encouraged to use unexpected media such as plastic cutlery and to transform everyday items into more complex three dimensional structures.