Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, 1940-41, 60 panels, tempera on hardboard (even numbers at The Museum of Modern Art, odd numbers at the Phillips Collection) Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris.
Whenever I see a Jacob Lawrence posting, I feel compelled to add something to his legacy. When I was an art student at the University of Washington in the Seventies, I had a cranky art teacher who insisted that he knew what was art and what was not. I was not convinced. While discussing this with the Dean of the Art School, a man stuck his head through the door and said, "I'll take him on", meaning he agreed to tutor me one-on-one for that quarter. Mr. Lawrence was the most generous, encouraging, inspiring professor of my entire college experience. He was a great artist AND a great teacher.
Beautiful pieces. The commentary was sensitive and fair to the works which were, at the time, tackling the despondency felt by millions of African-Americans during their Exodus. Quite moving really.
Wow. These images are so powerful and so fascinating. I love the colors and the angles and I really appreciate what you two said on the titles being like poetry weaving throughout these artworks!
I only learned of Jacob Lawrence' work recently, but he Immediately shot to my list of TOP Modern artists of the 20th century. He was Amazing. As I've written elsewhere, in my personal estimation, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Picasso, and rises Above many of his More successful contemporaries. Although he did receive acclaim and notoriety, it wasn't nearly enough in relation to his artistic achievement- imho.
Don't think of it that way. It's NOT Homework, it's Nourishing your Brain with the healthiest of input. YOU control your reception of experience and knowledge. Consider it a GREAT Thing that you have been exposed to this man's work. He was a True master of Modernism. I say this all, Only in your favor.