Available Works or Citations from Art
Charles L. Sallee, painter and graphic artist was born in Oberlin, Ohio in 1911. He studied at Karamu House, the Institute of Art and earned a B.S. from Western Reserve University in 1939. After teaching in Cleveland Schools he worked on WPA projects as a printmaker and mural painter. During World War II he worked as a cartographer and camouflage…
William E. Smith (American, 1913-1997) Linocut on prints
Sterling Hykes often chose subjects for his enamel plaques and plates that reflect his interest in African art and his African American heritage. This image of an African head of a warrior is seen in profile with wavy stylized hair, decked with various body ornaments, is set against a lush yellow background with the warrior’s shield prominently visible against smaller…
This work complements the previous plate, but on a black background and larger. Sterling Hykes often chose subjects for his enamel plaques and plates that reflect his interest in African art and African American heritage. The head of an African warrior is seen in profile with wavy stylized hair, decked with various body ornaments with the warrior’s shield, resembling a…
Hughie Lee-Smith was born in Eustis, Florida, lived in Atlanta until 1925, when he moved to Cleveland. He began attending art classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art and later graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1938. While in Cleveland, he became active at Karamu House as an actor, dancer, set designer, and teacher. He worked in the…
Women Builders celebrates the contributions of Black women. Johnson borrowed the title and the women’s likenesses from a 1931 book by Sadie lola Daneil (possibly the center right figure). Lucy Craft Laney, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Janie Porter Barrett (on the left side of the painting) created institutions and programs where young black women in the South…
Elmer W. Brown was born in Pittsburgh and lived in Columbus before moving to Cleveland when he was 20. He studied at the Cleveland Insitute of Art and was active at Karamu House as an actor and stage designer as were many other African American artists and writers of the time. He was especially known for his WPA murals at…