10 Black Artists You Should Know

Influential African-American Artists To Celebrate

Black artists have shared powerful portrayals of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans through their paintings, sculptures, photos, and other artworks. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Jacob Lawrence, and other artists help to illuminate the African-American perspective to the world.

The African-American artists here all hail from relatively recent times, and have had a huge influence on the modern and contemporary art scene.

Jean-Michel Basquiat wearing an American football helmet (1981). Photo: © Edo Bertoglio, courtesy of Maripol, Artwork: © VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2018 & The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Licensed by Artestar, New York.

1. Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) was an American artist with Haitian and Puerto Rican roots. Basquiat used social commentary in his artworks as a tool for introspection and for identifying with his experiences in the black community, and attacks on power structures and systems of racism.

2. Kara Walker

Kara Elizabeth Walker (born 1969) is an American contemporary painter, silhouettist, print-maker, installation artist who explores race…