Captioned Black Art
Your Curated Art Museum
“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”
“See that you don’t forget it . . . Times ain’t always gonna be like this, and when the breaks come you gotta be prepared to take them.”
— Louise Meriwether, Daddy Was A Number Runner
A Snippet:
Did you know that Louise Meriwether (b. 1923) lived to be a centenarian (100 years old) and that her 1970 debut novel, Daddy Was A Number Runner, contains a praise-worthy foreword by James Baldwin?
Learn more . . .
199. “Fan” (circa 1970)
“Go ye into yonder’s world and sing with a loud voice.”
— Sister Gertrude Morgan
Did you know?
Did you know that Sister Gertrude Morgan, raised as an active member of the Southern Baptist church, in 1966, claimed God instructed her to draw pictures of the world to come, so she began wearing only white clothing and prepared an all-white room in her house as a prayer room?
After moving to New Orleans in 1939, Gertrude Morgan began her missionary work as a singing street preacher and soon joined a sanctified fundamentalist church where the services emphasized singing, music, and dancing.
Along with two other street missionaries, in the early 1940s, Sister Morgan built and operated a small chapel and center for orphans, runaways, and other children who required food and attention.
In 1966, Morgan claimed God instructed her to draw pictures of the world to come— the New Jerusalem.
Her drawings, she believed, were composed by God, “Through his Blessed hands, he takes my hand and writes.”
200. “Blues For The Middle Passages”
“I think it’s about the poverty of riches — the poverty of the human soul in the midst of so much plenty.”
— John T. Scott
Did you know?
Did you know that John T. (Tarrell) Scott was born in New Orleans in 1940, and raised in the city’s Ninth Ward and was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (in 1992)—commonly referred to as the “genius” grant?
After graduating from Xavier University, Scott earned a master’s degree at Michigan State University, where he studied with the painter Charles Pollock, Jackson Pollock’s brother.
Returning to New Orleans in 1970, Scott taught at Xavier for more than 40 years.
His vivid, kinetic sculptures were featured in numerous public installations across the United States, including the 2005 survey at the New Orleans Museum of Art, Circle Dance: A John T. Scott Retrospective.
201. (Untitled)
“Despite numerous life challenges, artistry remained a steadfast escape.”
— A. Nichel
Did you know?
Did you know that A. Nichel is a self-taught portrait artist whose artwork has been featured in the likes of Essence, Sheen Magazine, and VoyageATL?
In the artist’s own words, “My upbringing took place in the quaint city of Dolomite, Alabama, under the guidance of a remarkable grandfather and mother who instilled in my siblings and I, a deep understanding of perspective, despite numerous life challenges. Artistry remained a steadfast escape.”
“In 2016, a pivotal decision to leave a mundane job led me to a career as a makeup artist, expanding my creative horizons.”
“Remarkably, I had the privilege of creating art for renowned celebrities like Desi Banks, DL Hughley, Jazze Pha, Debbie Allen, and winning the admiration of Cardi B, Queen Latifah, Deion Sanders, and many others.”
“Throughout this journey, the goal has been to inspire individuals to chase their dreams and perceive life from a fresh perspective.”
All that glitters isn’t gold
(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)
The poverty of riches
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