Discover the untold stories of American abstraction through a groundbreaking exhibition at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, reframing the history of art to include Black artists as originators.
Reframing American Abstraction: ‘Innervisions‘ at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum
The exhibition ‘Innervisions‘ at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum reframes the history of American abstraction by presenting Black artists as originators instead of outliers. This groundbreaking show challenges the conventional narrative of art history, which has long been dominated by white artists.
American abstraction emerged in the early 20th century as a response to representational art.
Artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko pioneered this movement, focusing on color, texture, and emotion.
Abstract Expressionism dominated the scene from the 1940s to the 1960s, with artists experimenting with new techniques and materials.
The movement's emphasis on individual expression led to a diverse range of styles, influencing subsequent art movements like Pop Art and Minimalism.
The Origins of American Abstraction
Abstract Expressionism emerged in the 1950s, marking a significant milestone in art historical development. However, this movement was largely practiced by white men who drew upon earlier Modernist movements like Surrealism and Suprematism. In contrast, Black artists such as Jack Whitten, Howardena Pindell, and Sam Gilliam responded to a different set of influences.
The Influence of Social Realism
Social Realism, an artistic movement from the 1930s and 1940s, aimed to document and uplift the working class. This movement was particularly relevant for artists who were part of the working class themselves, including many people of color. However, this focus on social justice eventually became suffocating for these artists, leading them to abandon recognizable imagery and explore non-objective abstraction.
Black Abstraction: A Twin Movement to Abstract Expressionism
The exhibition ‘Innervisions‘ presents a stunning array of works by Black abstract painters who have been working in this way for decades. Artists such as Felrath Hines, Joe Overstreet, David Hammons, and Sam Gilliam demonstrate a remarkable range and depth of practice. Their work challenges the conventional understanding of art history, which has long marginalized their contributions.
Black abstraction refers to a concept in art and design where a void, absence, or darkness is used as the primary element of composition.
This technique originated in the 1960s with artists like Ad Reinhardt and Ellsworth Kelly, who sought to challenge traditional notions of color and space.
By using black as a dominant color, artists aim to create a sense of depth, ambiguity, and mystery.
Black abstraction often explores themes of minimalism, simplicity, and the emotional impact of negative space.
A Reevaluation of Art History
The Clark Atlanta University Art Museum‘s exhibition ‘Innervisions‘ raises an important question: why have Black abstractionists not been adopted into the art historical canon? The answer lies in a reevaluation of art history, one that clears space for the adoption of Black abstraction as a twin movement to Abstract Expressionism. This reevaluation is long overdue, given the enduring power and range of Black abstract practices.
A New Understanding of American Abstraction
‘Innervisions‘ offers a new understanding of American abstraction, one that acknowledges the contributions of Black artists who have been working in this way for decades. This exhibition shows that Black abstraction has far outlived its overshadowing sibling, Abstract Expressionism, and that their practices have more staying power.
The exhibition ‘Innervisions‘ is on view at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum through May 2.
