By Ayomide Asani
The contemporary art world has been known for excluding people of color. As it is an elitist institution dominated by western and white perspectives of the world, the experiences and views of black people have been neglected and misrepresented.
Space for black women in the art world has been particularly non-existent. The visual arts landscape is notorious for its exclusionary policies and funding directives motivated to protect whiteness. In the past, this meant that minorities within the arts were funded at a minimum level of 4% in 1976 by the Arts Council Organisation. 4% of funding was given to minorities because only 4% of the population were minorities. As a result, the representation of black women was limited to very few. While many artists tried galvanizing themselves by creating spaces and organisations that would showcase their artwork, without funding they were unable to support their own endeavors. As the world economy moved towards globalization, investment into the black visual arts was not seen as a priority – funding was cut drastically and with the economic recession in 2008, visual artists could no longer afford their lifestyles by just selling art pieces.
Media has depicted them as violent, aggressive, exotic and hypersexual, which has robbed them of their personal autonomy and self-representation. For black female artists, the visual arts scene is a liberating place where they can speak their true voice. Black women through their art have placed emphasis on pain, struggle and the negative stereotypes placed upon black people.
Throughout the 21st century, black women have championed the fluidity of differently lived experiences within their art. For the artists highlighted in this article, the theme of softness and gentleness is prevalent and depicts black womanhood as beautiful and diverse.
Today, we can observe an emergence of new black artists who are changing the narrative in a way that is both bold and empowering. Taking up space within the world, being both black and female, they are fighting misogyny and invisibility as they empower an anti-racist agenda. The very presence of black women within the visual arts world indicates that they can no longer be ignored or overlooked, but rather recognised and compensated for their unique contribution to visual arts. Instead, we are shown their own unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
So what are black artists thinking today?
Chimnada Nnoli, a Nigerian artist, reflects on her life and identity through her artwork. Influenced by an impressionist style, Nnoli uses oil paints to create a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Flowers, a consistent theme within her work, symbolize a safe space within a chaotic world. It seems as if her artwork presents a safe haven for black women.
Within the artistic community, the use of flowers seems to be a running theme for black women. Artby Andileh on Instagram uses flowers to connect with her online following. The flowers generate a romantic and naturalistic view of the subject. Most of her work is faceless allowing ‘a piece of herself to be in every painting’. However, it also forges a connection with every black woman that happens to stumble upon her piece.
Ruygi Anthrolow, a Swedish artist who works with texture and negative space, creates a euphoric and ethereal image of black women. She is changing the contemporary art scene with her unconventional technique and color experimentation. A recurrent motif within her work is hands covering eyes, speaking to the invisibility of black women within society and how she is challenging this notion as an artist. There is an illusion that black people do not exist within northern Europe. Yet, Anthrolow work serves as a beacon for black women living within Sweden, letting people know that not only black people exist, but are also thriving and creating.
For black women, the visual arts is not just a place to escape, it is also a refuge. Stereotypes reduce people to rudimentary templates which do not capture the nuances of personhood and identity. Black women are often denied femininity and respect as individuals. The artwork of these women proves this notion wrong. It is both radical, natural and displays the complexities of womanhood and identity for black women all over the globe. It’s wonderful to see black women reclaiming their rights to artistic movements and using these as a way to demonstrate their strength, beauty and femininity on their own terms.
