10 Black Contemporary Artists You Need To Know Right Now
Exploring the Bold and Innovative Work of Today’s Top Black Creatives
Black contemporary artists have been making an indelible mark on the art world for decades, creating stunning works that challenge and inspire viewers. Their unique perspectives and experiences have led to an explosion of creativity and innovation, bringing fresh energy to the art world. Believe it or not, black contemporary art goes beyond Basquiat.
From painting and sculpture to performance art and beyond, black contemporary artists are pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be an artist in the modern age. For fellow artists, exploring the work of these talented individuals can offer new insights, techniques, and inspiration for their own creative pursuits. In this post, we will take a closer look at the contributions of black contemporary artists and highlight some of the most exciting and thought-provoking works being produced today.
Top Black Contemporary Artists of Today
Kehinde Wiley
The Lamination, 2016, oil on canvas, 96H X 192W IN
Kehind Wiley is a New York-based artist known for his large-scale portraits that feature contemporary Black figures in poses inspired by classical European paintings. His work challenges traditional art-historical narratives by depicting Black people in regal and heroic poses that are typically reserved for white figures. His subjects are often anonymous individuals he encounters on the streets, who he casts as models for his paintings. Wiley’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and he was commissioned to paint President Barack Obama’s official portrait, which now hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Kara Walker
Drawings, Sikkema Jenkins & Co, New York, March 5 – 14, 2020 / September 8 – 30, 2020
Contemporary artist Kara Walker is well recognised for her enormous black cut-paper silhouettes that examine the historical legacies of gender, race, and slavery in America. Her images often depict graphic scenes of violent and oppressive moments in great detail, challenging viewers to confront the more sinister facets of American history. Despite the weighty subject matter, Walker’s work is also playful and irreverent, using humour and satire to expose the absurdities of racism and prejudice.
Mickalene Thomas
Angelitos Negros, 2016, Mentors, Muses and Celebrities, 2017
Mickalene Thomas is a Brooklyn-based artist whose colourful, collage-like paintings honour the elegance and nuance of Black women. Strong, self-assured ladies who aren’t afraid to be themselves are frequently seen in her work and are surrounded by striking patterns and vibrant hues. Her art, which has been displayed in museums and galleries all over the world, is created by Thomas using a combination of painting, photography, and collage techniques and film work.
Julie Mehretu
Host (Bolsonaro eve), 2019–20, Ink and acrylic on canvas, 48 1/4 × 100 3/16 in. (122.6 × 254.5 cm)
The large-scale abstract paintings by the Ethiopian-born, New York-based artist Mehretu, incorporates architectural images and expressive marks. Her compositions frequently include maps, diagrams, and other visual cues to create layered, complicated compositions. Her work is influenced by the intricacy of modern urban life. Mehretu’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her work.
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
5 Umezebi St., New Haven, Enugu, 2012, Acrylic, charcoal, pastel, coloured pencil and Xerox transfers on paper, 7 ft.× 8.75 ft.
Crosby is a Los Angeles-based Nigerian-born artist known for her intricate mixed-media paintings that blend African and Western traditions. Her work explores issues of identity, hybridity, and cultural exchange, and she frequently incorporates personal photographs and other found materials into her compositions. Crosby’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and she has received numerous awards and honours for her work.
Toyin Ojih Odutola
The Future Is Romantic, 32 × 80 inches (board) 37 1/2 × 85 1/2 × 2 1/4 inches (framed), charcoal on board, 2015
Odutola is a Nigerian-American artist known for her intricate pen and ink drawings that question racial and gender stereotypes. Her work frequently depicts Black figures in lush, imagined landscapes and addresses issues of identity, history, and mythology.
Hank Willis Thomas
Unity, 2019, permanent bronze installation near the Brooklyn Bridge, 22.5 ft (6.85 M)
Hank W. Thomas is a New York-based artist who works across a range of mediums, including photography, sculpture, and installation. His work explores themes of identity, race, and history, and often incorporates found imagery and text. Thomas is perhaps best known for his use of advertising imagery and logos in his work, which he repurposes to critique the ways in which commercial culture reinforces racial stereotypes and prejudices.
Jordan Casteel
In Bloom installation view, Casey Kaplan Gallery, New York, September 8 – October 22, 2022
Jordan Casteel is a Denver-based artist known for her large-scale portraits of Black people, often painted against bright, monochromatic backgrounds. Her work is notable for its intimate and empathetic approach, which captures the personalities and emotions of her subjects.
Dawoud Bey
A Young Woman Waiting for the Bus, Syracuse, NY, 1985. Gelatin silver print (printed 2019), 20 × 24 in. (50.8 × 61 cm)
Dawoud Bey is a Chicago-based photographer known for his portraits of Black people, which range from intimate, candid shots to carefully staged tableaux. His work often explores themes of identity, history, and representation, and challenges viewers to confront their own assumptions and biases.
Kerry James Marshall
School Of Beauty, School Of Culture, 108 × 158 inches, acrylic on canvas, 2012
Marshall is a Chicago-based painter known for his large-scale figurative paintings that celebrate the Black experience. His work often incorporates imagery from popular culture, history, and mythology, and challenges traditional art-historical narratives by depicting Black people in heroic and triumphant poses.
Tschabalala Self
Still, 2020
Self is a super talented artist from New York who creates these amazing mixed-media collages celebrating the beauty of Black women. She uses found materials like fabric and clothing to give her work a unique, three-dimensional feel. You might have seen her work in museums and galleries around the world or on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in the Art & Style category.
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
Sister to a Solstice, 51 1/4 × 78 7/8 × 1 1/2 inches, oil on linen, 2018
Lynetter Yiadom-Boakye is a British artist who paints these incredible portraits of Black people that look almost like they could be photographs. Her work has this really dreamy quality to it, like you’re looking at people in a hazy memory or a distant dream. She’s won all kinds of awards and has been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries.
Firelei Báez
Man Without A Country, 2014/15, Gouache, ink and chine-collé on 220 deaccessioned book pages, 9 x 21 feet (2.7 x 6.4 m)
Firelei Báez is a Dominican-American artist who creates these vibrant, intricate paintings and sculptures that explore themes of race, identity, and history. Her work often incorporates references to Afro-Caribbean folklore and mythology, and she’s been praised for her use of colour and texture. If you’ve been to art fairs or exhibitions in New York, Miami, or London, you might have seen her work.
Karon Davis
Cat’s Cradle, 2019, plaster strips, chicken wire, steel armature, glass eyes, antlers. 28 × 25 × 57 in. (71.1 × 63.5 × 144.8 cm)
Karon Davis is a California-based artist who works with a range of materials, including wood, metal, and found objects, to create sculptures that challenge the viewer’s assumptions about race, gender, and power. Her work often incorporates elements of performance, and she’s known for her use of humour and irony to address serious issues. You might have seen her work in galleries and museums in California or at international art fairs.
Kevin Beasley
In my dream I saw a landscape, 2022, Polyurethane resin, raw Virginia cotton, confetti t-shirts, confetti house dresses, t-shirts, 74 x 112 x 2 inches (188 x 284.5 x 5.1 cm)
Kevin Beasley is a sculptor and sound artist based in New York who creates these really interesting, interactive installations that incorporate elements of music, performance, and sculpture. His work often explores themes of race and power, and he’s known for his use of found objects and unconventional materials, like foam and resin. He’s had solo exhibitions at some of the biggest art institutions in the world, from the Whitney Museum of American Art to the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.
The rise of Black contemporary art
Black contemporary art is a vibrant and ever-evolving genre that showcases talent and creativity. From the groundbreaking work of pioneers like Kehinde Wiley and Kara Walker to the bold and innovative pieces of emerging artists like Tschabalala Self and Karon Davis, Black contemporary art continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of what art can be. Through their work, they have not only made significant contributions to the art world, but also to the broader cultural and social conversations of our time. As we continue to celebrate and support more Black artists’ work, we open ourselves up to new perspectives, experiences, and ways of understanding the world around us.
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SITES TO HELP:
The Most Influential Living African American Artists | Artsy.net
COURSES TO HELP:
Becoming Creative \ An Artistic Guide To Creativity
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Featured Image:
Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Dwell: Aso Ebi, 2017, acrylic, transfers, coloured pencil, collage and commemorative fabric on paper, 96 in.× 124 in.