Our next ‘Inspired By’ artist is a celebrated contemporary sculptor: Simone Leigh. Her artworks frequently incorporate materials traditionally associated with African art and history while also blending in her own personal experiences. The Chicago-born artist focus on race, history and gender, but above all on the black female experience. After her time as an intern at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., Leigh developed an interest in the categorization and display of African diaspora. From there, she took her career to New York where she remains today. Leigh also founded an organization called Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matter, a collective formed after the murder of Philando Castille and in protest against racial injustice. her...
The last couple weeks have brought about a lot of emotions. Anger, sadness, shame, helplessness - just to name a few. But, as we process the tragic death of George Floyd, I am choosing one emotion to guide me: inspiration. I’m inspired by our friends of color and their strength.By those protesting, voting, and making their voices heardBy those across the globe showing their supportBy those donating to organizations for justice By those businesses dedicated to inclusivity By those educating themselvesBy those supporting black-owned brandsIt only seems right for this issue of ‘INSPIRED BY’ to focus on those in the Black community. Black artists have been making waves in the art world for centuries, but today we want to...
We’re committed to sharing stories of those who continue to inspire us - because we could all use some extra light in our lives. Our next artist, Jaye Moon, is known for using her artwork as a universal, communication tool.Moon’s most recent work, The Wizard of Oz, is one of those pieces that just sticks with you. It was just installed at Nam Jun Paik Art Center in Korea for a show called “The Future of Silence: when your tongue vanishes.” The exhibit examines language and it’s cultural representation - so it only makes sense that Moon’s work is included. The New York based Korean artist was inspired by Nam June Paik’s himself after seeing his monumental piece, “Electronic- Superhighway...
Behind every great artist, is someone who supported them. Art dealers, collectors, and galleries help bring esteem and admiration to an artist or an art movement. One of the country’s most notable supporters of the arts gave rise to this very idea in the 1920s.Edith Halpert, businesswomen turned art dealer, is most known for championing American art in the early 20th century and trailblazing the rise of the modern art gallery. While European impressionism was all the rage, Edith was able to bring recognition to many avant-garde American artists.Before her rise in the art industry, Edith first made a name for herself as a leading female executive. Between 1920-1925, Edith worked in a number of roles at the investment...
For our next ‘Inspired By’ artist, we are going back in time. Alma Thomas, born in 1891, is most notable for her colorful, abstract works and her role for women, African Americans, and older artists. She continues to inspire artists of all ages even after her death over 20 years ago. Thomas first studied abstract art during her time at Howard University, but it wouldn’t be until she retired from teaching in her 70s when her career as a professional artist would be recognized. Her determination, specifically in her later years, is one of the many reasons she has been a constant to artists.Alma’s work is colorful, large, and dense. From her work in Color...
