Black culture is known for being expressive, creative, and iconic. From chefs, musicians, designers, digital and contemporary artists, Black artists offer various options for people to express themselves through their home decor. When it comes to making your house feel like home, choosing the right art can always help set the tone. Having the right pieces can spice up your space and spark interesting conversations with guests. Whether you want your home to be traditional or contemporary, there are so many options for you to choose from! Here are five black artists to consider for your home decor.
Alma Thomas
A Southern belle herself, Alma Thomas, was born in Columbus, Georgia, with aspirations of becoming an architect. At 75, the Howard University graduate returned to her alma mater to debut the abstract art she had worked on full-time after being an art teacher. This helped launch her successful career. Her eye-catching art uses shapes and colors to create striking patterns that often resemble nature.
Thomas’ art would be great decor for individuals who like uniqueness and natural and contemporary themes. Her art includes collections such as space and floral.
Annie Lee
Annie Lee, another Black Southern Belle, was born in Gadsen, Alabama. She is the woman behind the iconic painting, Blue Monday. In an interview, Lee revealed that she drew inspiration for this masterpiece from her experiences working her railroad job. Her southern roots and Chicago upbringing also led her to explore other forms of household decorative art, such as figurines, kitchen tiles, and houseware.
Lee’s art is what many would consider abstract realism, as she merges curves and spirals to shape depictions of reality of the average Black woman. The paintings could bring plenty of personality to a home with the colorful stories they tell, along with their complementary and schematic pigments.
Ija Charles
Ija Chares, a Columbia, South Carolina native, expresses boldness, authenticity, and vividness through her art. She creates canvas art and murals, with people often being her subjects. Ija Charles prides herself on being self-taught and using the muses around her for inspiration.
Charles’ art is always colorful and often incorporates physical and figurative textures. Ija usually exhibits her pride in her heritage through her art, which often features a bright meld of cheerful portraits of historical events and figures against vivid backgrounds. Ija’s art will surely bring joy and freshness to any home’s aurora.
Norman Lewis
Norman Lewis is a Harlem native and a New York legend who was a developing artist during the Harlem Renaissance. Lewis’ art is famous for his abstract expressionism and often uses oil art in a contemporary style through calming complimentary or bold colors paired with a few patterns, lines, and shapes to create his masterpieces. Norman’s work can bring a sense of class, vibrance, and richness to a room where ideas are shared.
Kara Walker
Kara Walker is a well-known contemporary artist who tied activism into her paintings and prints, which are known to evoke discussions about stereotypes of gender, race, and identity. Like most Black Californian artists, Walker uses her platform to introduce subtle ideologies to the world in a way that was bold, creative, and beautiful.
Walker’s pieces often highlight silhouettes of her subjects, typically in black or other bold colors with light backgrounds. Her art is an eloquent choice for decorating a foyer, sitting room, or bathroom.