On a visit to the Museum of Modern Art, I was introduced to the powerful artwork of Charles White. An African-American artist born in the early 20thcentury, White had witnessed the numerous struggles and injustices faced by African-Americans and used his artwork to call attention to these social issues. From graphite on paper to oil wash on board, White incorporated many techniques and expressed his art in various forms, showcasing the lives of strong African-American individuals and the roles they have played throughout American history. Visiting the Charles White: A Retrospective exhibit at the MoMA showed me how an artist’s work evolves throughout his life and how art serves as a powerful voice for people often overlooked by society.
The first Charles White piece that I saw was the large mural outside the gallery. I was immediately drawn to the intricate illustration of African-American figures uniting in a curving line as they are led by abolitionist Sojourner Truth in their struggle for freedom. Towards the center of the mural there is an activist, appearing to be calling out to a group of people gathering to fight for equal rights. The right side of the mural depicts George Washington Carter, an African-American inventor and botanist who made important agricultural discoveries. This piece really moved me because it shows the struggles that African-Americans faced in their fights for justice throughout American history. From putting an end to slavery to advocating for civil rights, Charles White is commemorating all the struggles that people have faced while also celebrating the achievements of individuals like Carter whose advances in science made a lasting impact on society.
Walking throughout the exhibit, I noticed how White incorporates various techniques as he showcases the stories of African-American individuals and their prominent roles throughout history. One of the pieces that stood out to me was the image of two people curving into each other as they are devasted by a failed harvest season. Even without the use of color, this piece, entitled There Were No Crops This Year, was so detailed and full of emotion as it showed the harsh reality of life during the years of poor growing seasons. Although curved with hunger and fear, the individuals in this artwork still look strong as they seek to survive through the difficult times. Another painting that stood out to me was The Soldier. This piece encompasses an entirely different technique and illustrates a single African-American soldier during World War II. White is showcasing the hypocrisy of American society as African-Americans were being enlisted to fight for a country that denied them their own rights. The painting is very moving as the soldier seems both determined and defeated at the same time, tightly holding onto his musket in the midst of war. White’s work emphasizes that despite being mistreated and demeaned throughout history, African-Americans played an important part in society and greatly contributed to the country.
I really enjoyed our visit to the Charles White exhibit and I think it is very important to hear his voice and the stories he tells through his art. I was really moved by many of his pieces and how he was able to showcase the struggles of African-Americans as well as celebrate strong African-American individuals. I was fascinated by the evolution of White’s style and techniques and the powerful messages he was able to evoke through his art.
