The African diaspora, born of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, has produced diverse art forms like blues, reggae, and Henry Ossawa Tanner’s paintings. This study examines how these works, often created during social upheaval, use Black culture as both subject and context. From late nineteenth-century reflections on the “souls of black folk” to twenty-first-century explorations of racial and cultural identity in performance, media, and digital arts, the book delves into the philosophical and social forces shaping Black presence in contemporary visual culture.
Renowned art historian Richard J. Powell presents a wide range of Black art from the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe, spanning film, photography, performance, conceptual art, advertising, and sculpture. This updated edition highlights the transformative impact of the past two decades on race and identity, using art as a critical lens to examine these issues.
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