11 Famous Black Artists Who Are Epitome of Success

Revisit black artists’ history if you ever get a chance!

Why?

Because it’ll show you how strongly and bravely black artists emerged every time somebody tried to silence their voices. 

Just like female painters, black painters have gone through several injustices. 

But they fought like warriors, especially against those who put barriers in their way. 

Black painters knew that art would never embrace anyone based on their identity, race, color, or religion. But it’d certainly do on the grounds of one’s talent, intentions, and objectives.

Black painters, through their works, changed the dynamics of art. 

They showed their suffering, pain, discrimination, and triumphs through various artworks.

Here we’re going to talk about 11 famous black painters who achieved greatness with their exceptional works.

Six Famous Black Painters (Male)

1. Joshua Johnson

Joshua Johnson had a rewarding life as a professional black painter. 

He produced over 100 portraits depicting scenes from his childhood. 

Several reports have been circulated in the public domain discussing his background and personal life.

It was said that Joshua was the son of an enslaved woman and a white man who lived in a destitute state.

He gained his freedom when he turned 19, when another man purchased him from another slave owner.

Joshua was a self-taught black painter whose artwork showcased a Naive art style. 

He may have been seen as the first known African American painter, but he was admired for forging a path to create space for other black artists. 

Best works: Family Group, The Westwood Children, and Grace Allison McCurdy and Her Daughters

(Also Read: 49+ Types Of Paintings Styles And Techniques)

2. Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat is arguably one of the most famous black artists who achieved greatness at a very young age.

At seventeen, he was kicked out of his parent’s house. 

In order to survive and continue to work as a painter, he used to take up odd jobs. 

His work and dedication came to light in just two years, as he was already working with a decent salary.

Jean had a short professional career, as he died at just 27 years old. He lived like a legend. 

Living in hardship, he made it to the top in years, building a name as a popular graffiti artist—also an influential and recognized contemporary black artist. 

Best works: Irony of a Negro Policeman (1981) and Hollywood Africans (1983)

3. Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner is the first black painter to earn world wide fame. 

Before moving to France, he studied in Pennsylvania, where he learned art. 

Like other famous black painters, he went through similar trauma—he was rejected by schools several times because of his race.

However, with the support of a few well-known painters, he made it to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1879.

Henry was heavily influenced by Thomas Eakins, whom he met at the academy.

When he moved to France, he worked for many affluent people, which brought him fame and fortune. 

But whatever he had produced—be it religious or landscape artworks—for the French people or its government, it had its existence in works created in Pennsylvania under the influence of Eakins’ works. 

Best Works: The Banjo Lesson and The Resurrection of Lazarus

4. Kehinde Wiley

Kehinde Wiley was known for producing art with a balanced context—which meant he’d use contemporary culture with reference to art history.

His approach to portraiture was quite innovative. There are vivid and naturalistic depictions of African-Americans in his art.

Kehinde Wiley may have worked only on portraits, but his works challenged the dogma that black people were seen as oppressed and ignored in America.

He made several attempts, which, in reality, succeeded to some extent. 

But his first groundbreaking move turned out to be when he was commissioned by Barack Obama himself to create an Official Presidential Portrait.

Best works: President Barack Obama, Ice T, and Easter Realness 

(Also Read: Harlem Renaissance (Migration Story Of 200,000 Black People)

5. Chris Ofili

Chris Ofili is one such famous black painter who can never be forgotten.

His innovative approach caught several people’s attention; especially the ones that were made with elephant dung, which he labeled “punk art.”

Christ’s works dragged him into several controversy, but he never abandon the style he believed in. 

Because he knew that even in the history of painting, painters became popular with unconventional ideas and approaches, and so would he. 

Best Works: No Woman, No Cry, The Adoration of Captain Shit and the Legend of the Black Stars,  and The Upper Room

(Also Read: 10 Famous Controversial Artworks)

6. Chéri Samba

Cheri Samba is Africa’s most respected painter, whose paintings share a glimpse of his opinions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cheri Samba, who flourished as a strip and billboard artist, produced and sold some of the world’s most expensive artwork.

In his art, you’ll see various issues covered, such as corruption and AIDS, which are evidently witnessed in African nations.

The black artist may cover different issues, but he tends to keep himself away from any political affiliation. His sole objective was to state his opinions and let viewers form their own. 

Best Works: J’aime la couleur (2003)

Five Famous Black Painters (Female)

1. Kara Walker

Karan Walker is arguably the most celebrated black artist, covering subjects such as gender, race, sexuality, and violence. 

Like other famous black male painters, she too was from California and was adept at creating silhouettes.

Out of all these historical black artists, she was the only famous female painter who was associated with the avant-garde movement.

She was a genius, talented, and brave black figure who always believed in making an impact through art rather than perfecting her subjects.

Best Works: Darkytown Rebellion and No Place (Like Home)

2. Wangechi Mutu

Wangechi Mutu is an influential black painter from Kenya and the producer of some disturbing artwork.

Her works covered various issues, from the impact of western commercialism on contemporary African culture to the exploration of the female body.

Out of all her works, the ones that displayed black women’s discrimination received massive attention.

She drew several illustrations as well, reflecting her feminist views—in a way to incite viewers to rethink the objectification of women.

Best Works: Cancer of the Uterus, Cactus Green Nips, and Homeward Bound

3. Iona Rozeal Brown

Iona Rozeal Brown is a legendary black artist and the creator of some of the most-talked-about Japanese art.

Her focus was always on Japanese culture, but her works also demonstrated the relationship of African American culture to others.

Heavily influenced by Japanese artists, Iona’s work had its roots in contemporary hip-hop and the Japanese ukiyo-e genre. 

Best Works: Died T, a3 Blackface, and Browndemics

4. Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald studied abstract expressionism, but her style was realistic.

Her fame and success are as close as Kehinde Willey’s, and she has won many prestigious awards.

Amy traveled across the world, understood the intricacies of different cultures, and produced art that conveniently resonated with the masses.

Her work doesn’t necessarily focus on African-American history but rather emphasizes the diversity that can be brought by African American culture.

There’s a long list of accomplishments, but being selected to paint the official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama has to be at the top.

Best Works: They Call Me Redbone but I’d Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake, Equilibrium, and Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)

5. Alma Thomas

Alma Thomas is the most experienced and loved black painter. 

Unlike other famous black artists, she never combined political and social elements in her art. 

She was a painter and teacher as well, spent 35 years as an art teacher at Washington, D.C.’s Shaw Junior High School.

From realism to abstract expressionism, she worked on different parameters, and never became complacent when it came to work.

Best Works: The Eclipse, Red Abstraction, and Starry Night and the Astronauts

Even though times changed and slavery slowly vanished, the African-American community in America is still faced with prejudice. 

If there were any changes between the period from Prince Demah to Augusta Savage was just the education.

Their recognition? Still lost. Still fighting for it.

Their name? Lost in oblivion in contrast to names like Copley, Dali, De Kooning, etc.

Their plight? Still can be found on every street, on every canvas, in every drop of paint. 

I struggled to find information on these exceptional artists because the whites beat them to it.

Famous Black Artists today continue to fight the fight that started sometime in 1619 the day their ancestors were loaded in the São João Bautista.

Just through a different medium, through a different voice, for someone out there to listen to their plight.

When one artist falls three more will rise, to continue fighting because “Black Lives Matter” — they always have they always will.

Help me enter the names of these famous black artists in the annals of art history.

(Please leave a comment for Part-II loves, because this is not over)

Not just the Black art community but the less renowned art community itself suffers today.

Help PortraitFlip, support the artist community by contributing via your love of art.

Artists want people to appreciate what they make, so get a photo to paint made today by us because you are not just supporting art, you are helping it grow. 

That’s all she could say…

Hey, there beautiful souls,

If you have read this article, thank you.

If you think it deserves to be shared with the world, please do.

Famous Black Artists from the past, must have their place in art history today, and that is exactly what I have tried to do. 

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Thank you and God Bless!

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