The Underground
A newsletter which bridges art, history and community together
2024 | February
You are the best part of my art! - Zandra
Introduction: Welcome to the Underground Newsletter! It is a fundamental issue for me because it is Black History Month. As I was thinking about writing this, my heart was heavy about what I should write about. Since I am an artist, I decided to share with you some history about the first time African Americans were recognized for their immense talent as artists. I am also thrilled to introduce our featured artist, Daisha Kimbrough, from Kansas City, MO. She is an incredible self-taught artist whose art embodies the theme of environmental and urban amalgamation, delivering compelling art made on cardboard that boldly elevates her iconic figures
Art and Culture
Art is a powerful collector of culture. Artist have often depicted African Americans through their visual understanding; however for me, I was curious about art depicted by African Americans. My first real exposure happened when I visited the Kemper Contemporary Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO. Kara Walker,'s slave silhouettes on the wall, and the background sound effects transformed and transfixed me.
Then, on a visit to the Nelson Atkins Museum, I came across El Anatsui, whose work revolves around earth conservation. When you see the tapestry from a distance, you would not know it was made all from old bottle caps. While researching, I found Sam Gilliam, who created large panels of color blocks; he found his inspiration in the patchwork quits he saw as a child, and he hung them the same way you might see a sheet on a clothesline. So, most of you know about performance art, but do you know about
Nick Cave? He creates sound suits. These suites represent a captivating fusion of performance and immersion. I made a sound suit in college; it changes your perception of space and movement. These are but a few of the talented African American Artists. Who's your favorite artist? Comment at artaudacity2024@gmail.com. Another incredible artist to learn about is Faith Ringgold she uses her quilt tapestry to address racism.
Photo Credit: TheModern - Kara Washington
Photo Credit:
Wikiart.org
Photo Credit:
The Guardian
Photo Credit:
Torrance Art Museum
Impact of African Americans on Art
Photo Credit: Library of Congress
Discovering the point where Art, and African Americans, began to have proper recognition lands us in the 1900’s. Notably a difficult periods for African Americans. During this period direct oppression was and an accepted norm. From my research I learned that the first organized black artist event occurred outside of the United States. The notable exhibit of African American art was the American Negroes held at the 1900 Worlds' Fair in Paris, which was curated by W.E.B.
Du Bois, a purposeful move to dispel myths that impact attitudes that lead to prejudice and discrimination. Du Bois recognized early that visual imagery shapes public perception and was a vehicle to challenge stereotypes. He recognized art and photography as tools of social change.
It was almost thirty years later, in 1929, when the American Negro Artist exhibited at the Smithsonian's US National Museum. It was also meant to challenge the prevailing attitudes, promote inclusivity, and pave the way for increased representation of Black artists in the art world. One of the notable pieces was the "Negro Youth" by Lois Mailou Jones, which was created in 1929.
Starting February 25, The Met is presenting the Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, which will explore the comprehensive and far-reaching ways in which Black artists portrayed everyday modern life in the new Black cities that took shape in the 1920s–40s in New York City's Harlem and Chicago's South Side and nationwide in the early decades of the Great Migration when millions of African Americans began to move away from the segregated rural South. The first survey of the subject in New York City since 1987, the exhibition will establish the Harlem Renaissance as the first African American–led movement of international modern art and will situate Black artists and their radically new portrayals of the modern Black subject as central to our understanding of international modern art and modern life.
Let me introduce you to Henry Ossawa Tanner and Jacob Lawrence African American of help shape black art history.
Henry Ossawa Tunner, The Banjo Lesson (Hampton University Museum, Hampton, VA)
Tanner lived from 1859-1937; he was born in Pittsburg. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and became the first African American graduate. He later studied in Paris. He is notable for his work "The Banjo Lesson," capturing tenderness and resilience within the African American community. He broke barriers and opened doors for future generations of African American artists. He is celebrated for his technical brilliance and emotional depth. And the renowned African American painter Jacob Lawrence significantly contributed to the black history museum. His vibrant and figurative painting depicted daily life experiences, particularly in Harlem. He captured the stories and struggles of African American history.
Jacob Lawrence, The Apartment (WikiArt)
Julie Mehretu, Stadia I (wikiArt)
As history continues to develop, I could not leave you with giving you an artist to watch. Do you know about Julie Mehretu? She is an artist interested in urban layout, street grids, and human geography in her work. She created frenetic abstracts, maps, and buildings in cities like Cairo, Istanbul, and Baghdad, exploring 21st-century migration and settlement. In November 2023, her ink and acrylic "Walkers With the Dawn and Mornings (2008)" sold for 10.7 million at Sotheby's, making her the most expensive Black female artist and African-born artist. That is a lot of money, but documenting the movement's history is more important.
Featured Artist Spotlight
Meet: Daisha Kimbrough
Travel - Family - Faith - Live Out Loud!
Celebrating Community, Diversity, and the Power of Art
Join me as we celebrate community diversity and the power of art. February highlights the 'Audacity and Tenacity' art exhibit at the Coffee Bar, daring visitors to embrace bold new art.
In March, the 'Blossoming Legacies' exhibit will be shown at the Brew Bank; the art celebrates the historical legacy of people who dreamed of daring ideas at a young age and made those ideas a reality. Flowers react similarly, so the show will be sprinkled with flowers to represent the strength needed to meet your highest possibilities.
The 'Generations' exhibit will be at the Sage Crossing Gallery in April. The show investigates how talent and ideas transcend generations.
Introducing Daisha Kimbrough, a visionary self-taught artist with an urban canvas twist. Her work embodies the theme of environmental and urban amalgamation, delivering compelling art painted on cardboard, and the relevance of her iconic figures. The engaging profile covers her inspiring journey, creative process, and the subtle depths of her art that provoke an artful reconsideration of cultural impact. Encounter Daisha's captivating work at right here!
Unveiling the Canvas
Photo Credit: Zandra Sneed-Dawkins
In June, The Roaring 20 Gallery and Event, Bunker Center For The Arts, Zandra's Art, and ArtsTech are teaming up to host several special events to celebrate Juneteenth. Extensive information about the events can be found under the celebrations, which are tagged under the 'Red Velvet Affair website.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is a reminder for us never to forget those who fought for freedom. To mark the importance of art and to help ensure it is accessible to all, we need your help to support ArtsTech! A community center aimed to keep art accessible to everyone.
We invite you to participate in all of the events. Tell everyone you know. Their five events are the Artist Call, Artist Celebration, Afternoon Tea, Red Velvet Ball, and the Promenade. The first way you can help is to tell every artist you know to submit their art! Finally, Join, Participate, and Donate!
Below is a summary of each event:
Artists Call: This call is unique because the top 15 art pieces will be selected for the auction. Every artist will receive 50 percent of the art sale. Submit your art now! Deadline is March 1, 2024.
Artists Reception: We are celebrating all the artists who submitted their art; it is also the night we announce the top 15 art pieces that will move forward to the auction. There will be light refreshments. The event starts at 6 pm.
Afternoon Tea Service: Elegance meets Sophistication. Step into an era of luxury and refinement as we invite you to indulge in an exquisite afternoon tea experience. In honor of Juneteenth, a momentous occasion in American history, offering exclusive opportunities to elevate your tea experience and commemorate the journey toward freedom, equality, and unity. Click here for Afternoon Tea available dates in June.
Red Velvet Ball and Dinner: An exclusive black-tie event. The ball will have live music, a captivating memorial tribute to Juneteenth, and showcase the fifteen art pieces up for auction. It is sure to be an evening of glamour and commemoration. Save the date: June 22, 2024. Tickets are available at Red Velvet Ball.
The Promenade: The final gathering where we will get a final look at the auctioned art has honored guests speaking about the importance of art and Juneteenth. It also shows where we will present the donation check to ArtsTech. Save the date: June 29, 2024.
Connections in Topeka
Shop the Local Art Scene
Photo credit: Spencer Pugh
If you are looking for something to do today, NOTO's Art District is a great place to start. From ArtsConnect, to the newest hang out place Artismo Gallery and Bistro, to NOTO Arts Center Avant Garde Underground, and so much more. Follow this link to see Topeka’s local art scene.
(Events Calendar power by ArtsConnect and the 785 Magazine.)
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter! If you found it useful, we encourage you to share it with your friends and family. Don't keep the valuable insights and information contained within to yourself; spread the news and help others benefit from it too.