Art is communication

Art of any discipline is communication:

• from the artist’s background, desires, and image-ination, filtered through

• the medium of words, notes, paint, clay – and the artist’s technical ability, to

• the reader, listener, or viewer – but filtered by their backgrounds, hopes, and knowledge.

Thus, arts of any sort are only completed when read, heard, or viewed. That’s one reason why galleries, museums, concerts, and readings are important: They help complete the communication for which art is produced.

However, the audience’s interpretation is aided by – but doesn’t require -- understanding the artist’s background, desires, and imagery. A poem, dance, composition, or painting must be able to speak for itself. But we usually get more of the communication if we understand the origins of the dance form, the conventions of the musical form, the methods, intent, and symbolism of the visual artist.

At a gallery reception or an artist’s talk, you have the opportunity to learn about artists’ background, desires, and imagery.

So please – in the midst of talking with each other, identify a work that captures you, find the artist, and learn more about their motivations. Take the time to come to an artist talk, or listen to a discussion about producing and presenting paintings, sculptures, plays, poems, novels, music.

What is Black Art?

Friday 24 February brought together a tremendous gathering of artists, educators, and civic leaders for the opening of the Black Art and Black Artists exhibit at the Tacoma Community College Gallery. The exhibit runs through 17 March, open M-F, 10-5.

What is “black art”?  I’ve been pondering that, since before I started painting.  My most fundamental answer is “creative work that results from the African diaspora.”  Simple words, but not straightforward. 

                  For a few centuries, and especially in the US since the beginning of the twentieth century, the phrase “black art” in visual arts has implied some kind of social realism, using representation to depict the struggles and successes of Black people.  For me and other abstract artists, this poses a conundrum. 

                  We can easily circumvent the conundrum by declaring black art to be any creative work produced by a member of the African diaspora, whatever the medium and style – orchestral music, abstract poetry, abstract painting or sculpture.  A diaspora is exactly that – a spreading of people across a wide geographic and cultural territory, resulting in a myriad of experiences and expressions.

                  Can a nonblack artist produce “black art”?  Just last week, at the opening reception for the TCC Gallery show, my very thoughtful colleague Travis Johnson declared that the answer is “yes,” if the art reflects the culture and experiences of the African diaspora.  Contemporary white artists produce hip-hop art that reflects African-American-rooted culture.  Many composers and musicians have added to the jazz world of the twentieth century and beyond.  

                  So I’ll return to that fundamental answer I gave above.

Dream

in the studio of my friend young Alice,

born of painter and poet.

I admired her deeply.

She encouraged my work.

Her widowed mother

showed us two pieces,

red background, black or blue detail:

on one, rough figures in black, streaked with red,

and a few clearly drawn distractions;

on one, a cerulean circle, bold and smooth.

The difference, she said, was suggestion, the basis of art.

the roughness and red obscured and denied; 

the blue-on-red suggested colors unseen.

She gave us principles – very rare for her:

paint, don't record.

the act of painting must be primary

through visible brushstrokes - even those created by artifice.

Form is key, the major virtue of the work.

Represent by suggestion.

Together we breathed only one word, how.

Deep breath.

Rapidfire:

we know circle, we know sky, sun -- don't draw

do we need circle, or can it be transformed,

folded on itself, present as shadow, present as void?

overpainted, incomplete? 

ovoid imperfection?

Embarrassed by such explicit wordrain, 

she fell Silent. 

color is the gift, the bonus

color suggests things not drawn

color is emotion

color is beautiful.

It is a striking afternoon, I must go.

We paused by the sink:

she touched each of us, ran fingers thru gloss-black hair,

held a small mirror angled toward the ceiling and said

Henry, I'd like a special gift;  nevermind though, I'll pick it up.

Turned to us effusively -- happy thanksgiving.

Mother flinched;

they planned to spend thanksgiving together.

No, thanks can be more thoughtful alone.

I’ll go get my treat, this gorgeous afternoon.