There is no denying the formal achievement of Modern art. Some see a simultaneous loss of effective social commentary as Modernism advanced through the various abstractionists’ adventures in painting and sculpture. The works of certain mid 20th Century African American artists, such as Elizabeth Catlett and Benny Andrews, contradict this notion. These artists utilized the formal strength of …
There is no denying the formal achievement of Modern art. Some see a simultaneous loss of effective social commentary as Modernism advanced through the various abstractionists’ adventures in painting and sculpture. The works of certain mid 20th Century African American artists, such as Elizabeth Catlett and Benny Andrews, contradict this notion. These artists utilized the formal strength of modernism to advance and articulate their strong socio-political views. Despite their powerful blending of abstract expression and representational content, both artists were ignored or openly discouraged …
