by Nadira Jamerson
For Black artists, art is more than a pursuit of beauty or a means of expression. As Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison put it in her essay collection “The Source of Self-Regard”: “Art is not mere entertainment or decoration, it has meaning, and we both want and need to fathom that meaning.”
From Morrison’s novel “Beloved,” which chronicles the horrors of slavery and the resilience of Black communities, to photographer Gordon Parks, who used his lens to chronicle the fight for civil rights, to musician Nina Simone sharing the plight of Black Americans during Jim Crow through her 1964 anthem “Mississippi Goddam,” Black art has long served as a tool of resistance and a beacon of hope and justice.
Despite the impact of their work, though, modern Black artists don’t receive the support or funding of their non-Black peers. According to a 2021 study by the L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture, BIPOC arts workers in Los Angeles County — one of the largest hubs for art in the U.S. — earned 35% less than white arts workers. Globally, Black art only represented 1.9% of auction sales in 2022, according to a report from ArtNet.
Despite these obstacles, Black artists continue to make an impact like the Black artists who came before them. From painting to photography and illustrating, here are three Black artists breaking barriers in the art world by centering Black voices and creativity. Want to support them? Add their artwork to your gift list.
- Arieanne Evans
For Atlanta-based artist Arieanne Evans, photography is about more than snapping a photo — it’s about capturing the beauty and depth of the lives of everyday people. It’s no wonder Evans’s platform is called Friends on Film because, when you’re in front of her lens, even the most inexperienced models feel relaxed and empowered by her sense of familiarity and care. Evans has shot campaigns for musicians, including rap star Anycia, and fashion brands like Urban Outfitters. In 2023, Evans released her first photography book — “Close Friends” — in collaboration with Snap Collective London. It features 190 pages of her film photography and conveys “intimacy, nostalgia, and fantasy,” she says.
2. Just Joyce
As a self-taught multimedia and visual artist, Just Jocelyn knew early on that she wanted to turn her creative passions into a sustainable business. After taking an art class in high school, the entrepreneur found many folks reaching out to inquire about her art, and in 2017, she launched DaredtoPaint. The online store is “Rooted in culture, innovation, and hospitality,” according to the website, and offers prints, T-shirts, calendars, and more featuring Just Joceyln’s creations. “We aspire to empower, inspire, and bring life to the homes and lives of people,” says the website.
3. Quan Draws
Blending bold colors and shapes, Shakquan McAllister’s afrofuturistic creations are nothing short of fantastic. Gathering inspiration from the words he hears in songs to strange videos he encounters online, the New York City-based visual artist, creatively known as Quan Draws, uses his work to show that Black bodies are beautiful and belong in every realm. In addition to selling prints of his artwork, McAllister is also periodically open for commissions, helping others bring their unique ideas to life.