{"id":5975,"date":"2019-09-30T20:32:52","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T20:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/media-archive.blackartinamerica.com\/?p=5975"},"modified":"2019-10-01T20:40:40","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T20:40:40","slug":"black-then-spotlight-on-charles-wilbert-white","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earthexhibitions.org\/media-archive\/?p=5975","title":{"rendered":"Black Then: Spotlight on Charles Wilbert White"},"content":{"rendered":"

Black Then: Spotlight on Charles Wilbert White<\/h2>\n

While a Chicago native, Charles W. White, Jr. was a seminal creator in the Los Angeles art scene for decades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Born in 1918 into a working-class black family, White was also surrounded immediately by upheaval and movement. His arrival was one year ahead of the 1919 race riots that tore apart Chicago’s black homesteads and at the crest of the Great Migration’s earlier waves. White’s family originated from Mississippi, and he often traveled down South via train to visit his mother’s sisters during the summer where he was exposed to Southern black culture and folklore.<\/span><\/p>\n

While White’s talent was recognized early on, and even though his family lacked the extra funds to keep him in traditional supplies on a regular basis, White was afforded the opportunity to study at Chicago’s prestigious Art Institute. While there, he questioned that lack of Negro representation and challenged the status quo with his own contributions. Despite his obvious promise as a young artist, he was repeatedly denied additional opportunities due to his race.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Edwin Rosskam spent three weeks photographing the African American experience in Southside Chicago in 1941. Image via the Library of Congress.<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s easy to imagine White could’ve quit the arts, especially at the height of the Great Depression, when menial work would’ve been more plentiful in bigger cities. He continued undaunted though unsure of his career path, even painting signs at fourteen. All the while, his political and social awareness grew as he studied Alain Locke and befriended prominent Negro contemporary artists of his era:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"“…White lived in Chicago, New York, and, finally, Los Angeles over the course of his career, and was a critical member of creative communities in each of these cities. He counted photographer Gordon Parks, painter Jacob Lawrence, and singer and actor Harry Belafonte as friends and colleagues. From his earliest days as a mature artist, White was also a gifted and dedicated teacher, and David Hammons and Kerry James Marshall were among his many students. His practice of making rigorous, socially committed art affected these younger artists, some of whom continue his legacy in their own work…”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

White eventually settled in California with his second wife Frances Barrett. He remained dedicated to access to the arts for the common man and was a steadfast champion of visibility for black social issues, and workers’ rights:<\/span><\/p>\n

“…His meticulously executed drawings and paintings speak of and affirm the humanity and beauty of African American people and culture. Common subjects of his artwork included scenes depicting African-American history in the United States, socio-economic struggles, human relationships, and portraits…”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"In California, White’s work was well recognized and there is both an elementary school named for him associated with LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) as well as an active public park that’s still open in his honor, the only American artist with this distinction. White died in 1979, though his legacy lives on.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
    Charles White | MoMA<\/span><\/a> 2. Charles White, African-American & Social Realist Artist<\/a>, Heritage Gallery<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"\"<\/a>
    Sponsored in part by the generous support of the National Black Arts.<\/p><\/div>\n
    \"\"<\/a>
    Browse and shop for fine art from our growing network of artists, collectors, estates, galleries — specializing in works by Black American artists with great values on premier art.<\/p><\/div>\n
    START COLLECTING ART<\/span><\/h1>\n
    Sign up for our\u00a0free\u00a0email course<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on how to begin your collection.<\/p>\n
    \"\"Tash Moore is bicoastal Detroit booster, social entrepreneur and activist deeply passionate about promoting diversity & inclusion in all spheres. She currently spends her time between Detroit & DTLA.<\/p>\n
    Would you buy stock in BAIA if you could? Well we invite you to join us in becoming a monthly supporter, starting at just $3 a month\u00a0YOU<\/b>\u00a0become a stakeholder and begin to help us transform lives through art. We are growing the BAIA team and will use your contributions to hire more team members for the purpose of creating more educational and marketing resources for schools and universities about african american artists both past and present.
    \n\u200b
    \nReview our list of rewards for becoming a BAIA\u00a0    Patreon<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\/ patron supporter. Your monthly contribution has lasting benefits. \u2014 \u201cWhat will your legacy be\u201d \u2013 Dr. Margaret Burroughs<\/p>\n
    Thank you New and Recurring Monthly Patrons<\/h1>\n
    Deloris and Eddie Young, Esther Silver-Parker, Eugene Foney,\u00a0National Black Arts Festival,<\/strong> Matthew Putman, Frank Frazier, Dee Greer, Danny Jenkins, Ashlee Jacob, Tricia Konan, Michael Brinson, Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Jeanette D Adeshote,\u00a0 Ja-Na Bordes, Rev. Anita Marshall, Tricia Konan, Robin King, Kerri L. Forrest, Nan, Thomas E. Rodgers, D. Lacy, Jeffery Washington, Brenda Larnell, Helen Oyekan, Jeffery Washington, Letashia Mosbey, Marian Darlington, Roslyn Valentine, Vyonne Diva, Ednarina Blake, Devera Redmond, Carla West, Beatrice, Longshore, Abimbola Thompson, Barbara Johnson, Beverly C Smith, Deborah R. Moore, Dr. Skyller Walkes, Ednarina BLAKE, Garr Parks, Gerald Carrington, Jae M, James B Wingo, Jocelyne Lamour, Kevin Smokler, Marion Zweig, Mary Ali-Masai, Michael J. Todd, Nan, Reg Pugh, Shannon DeVaney, Thomas E. Rogers, Tonya Pendleton, D Lacy, Noreen Winningham, Mason Archie, Jill Scott, Cari Jackson Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Rachel Corbray, Cecilia Winters-Morris, Christ Van Loan Sr., Romaine Roberts, Michael Jacobs, K.L. Martin, Gale Ross, Manuelita Brown, Annette, Jamal Love, Glenn Isaac Sr, M. Rasheed, Angela Williams, Dana Todd Pope<\/p>\n
    \"\"<\/a>
    We Appreciate Your Support<\/p><\/div>\n
    Share this:<\/h3>