Comments on: African American Art Dealers Respond to Recent NY Times Article : Why have There Been No Great Black Art Dealers?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 05:40:15 +0000

I loved reading what Najee has written on the subject at hand. I’m not too much in the Art World know, but I recognized 3 of the individuals featured in this information. I love to go to Art Galleries around Chicago, that’s where I am living now. Can’t wait for this year’s Festival of the Arts/African Festival of the Arts program in Chicago, that is the only time I can think of when many artists will display their works openly to the public.

By: CHARLES BIBBS

CHARLES BIBBS — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 07:30:42 +0000

The article in question is valid only because it was about someone else’s reality. I am familiar with a part of that story, due to the fact I was a part of the LA black art movement back in the 70’s and 80’s. I was the last artist to have a one man show at the Brockman Gallery before it closed. I knew Dale Roberts then and now.
This is not a problem, because the African American Art Movement happened in many ways, ideas, concepts, approaches, and histories. Because of this you will always find conflict or different ideas concerning Black Art History.
I think one of the problems is that we minimize what impacts we as a people have on our Visual Art History, and our Communities. In reality it is wider and more influential than most people think or imagine.
You may find out that because of how our society has changed in terms of how we produce, publish, distribute, market, and sale art in general, these influential galleries may not be as relevant as they were in the pass.
Also you must ask the question: Why do we as a people, don’t recognize our visual artists as we do musicians, writers, actors and film producers, rappers, poetics, and others artists. Awards given by our prestigious Black organizations like the famed “Image Awards”, are not regularly given to Black Visual Artists. It is my opinion, that this exists because African American artists do not represent a collective financial impact on our society, or communities. (we are all over the place in terms of our direction).
Most Art Purists fail to recognize that from 1985 to 2005 we did have a African American Art industry that consisted of approximately 6 art publishers and distributors and over 3000 art dealers and galleries nation wide, it generated over 5 billion dollars of a 55 billion dollar art industry. Ask our prestigious art galleries about who was selling all that art to Black folks.
WE MUST TELL ALL THE HISTORY, NOT JUST A PORTION OF IT.

By: Rukuumba Nedd

Rukuumba Nedd — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 02:32:39 +0000

I’m an artist living in the ATL. I recently opened a one man show at the South Fulton Arts Center displaying 29 works that tells the story of my life, from my first created work in 1972 to today. I’m touched by ur views, conversations with similar themes I expressed at the opening. “Caribbean: Man in the Mirror” was the title and motif that challenged the identity crisis faced by Caribbean males of the Caribbean Diaspora living in the US. Thanks for sharing ur views and I look forward to joining the conversation.

By: PAUL ALLEYNE

PAUL ALLEYNE — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 17:25:55 +0000

I agree with Walter, Fully. I am also an artist and frankly, I don’t really care what others think about my art or the labels they may place on me. Being an Art Dealer is a business, not to promote the artist, but to make money.. It has little to so about the artist or their ability to produce art. When I do art, my intention is no more than to complete the project successfully.
Paul M Alleyne

By: Walter Neal

Walter Neal — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 01:58:26 +0000

I think our problem is labeling ourselves through attributes that have nothing to do with our Humanity. I’m an Artist, first and foremost. Your ‘labeling’ me beyond that is your problem!!!

By: Roland Burroughs

Roland Burroughs — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 22:19:43 +0000

Check out Mehu Gallery, 100th Street, West of Central Park West. Herve Mehu has been in that location for many, many years, ( Haitian)

By: George

George — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:25:40 +0000

Engage in the conversation, that’s how you get your seat at the table. Don’t wait for someone else to speak for you. Let’s all pull together—we are all diasporic

By: Emmett

Emmett — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:59:20 +0000

All that is thought of as Modern Art was taken from the Asian and African art forms and now attributed to European cultures. Now an Asian artist who makes Japanese prints or uses impressionist techniques is shunned. As well as African American artist who are cubists, sculptors and painters, accused of imitating European artists who though brilliant, and should be given full credit for expanding on the existing African art forms. Should not be given ownership of of the revolutionary works they created as a whole. The impressionist styles of pointillism, and print-making were created by the Japanese. The impressionist style would not exist if not for them. And it is this mindset, of repackaging and attributing art history to the European that keep every ethnicity out of galleries and museums. How can their be great art dealers if all the art forms that have bred great artists have and now historically be attributed to those who are not able to cash in on the own heritage? The history books are full of lies. Picasso to his credit, always referred to African Art as African Art.

By: Stanwyck Cromwell

Stanwyck Cromwell — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 03:31:27 +0000

Dear Najee:

I’m a Caibbean-born visual artist, who have spent the vast majority of my adult life as a visual artist in the USA. For most of us Caribbean artists, residing in the USA, there is somewhat of a feeling, that we are NOT included, or even a part of the conversation by African American art galleries. As far as I know, there aren’t many, if any African American. It seems as though Caribbean artists are caught up in the cultural war. We’re part of the African Diaspora, but with no representation. Could you, or are you willing to shed some light on this issue. My website is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stancromwell

By: Bob Ragland

Bob Ragland — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 23:15:11 +0000

Art by black artists has always been thought of as a second rate product.
The commerce side arrived late for artists of color. Black America always sought
the validation from the white art world. The climb has and will always be uphill, the black
artist’s career has been retarded by slavery. Something to think about.
Sincerely- Bob Ragland -Denver,Colo.