African American Visual Arts

Celeste-Marie Bernier is Professor of United States and Atlantic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She is the author/editor/curator of over 85 books, exhibitions, essays, and digital educational resources including the Douglass Family Lives: Anna Murray and Frederick Douglass Family Biography and Collected Works nine-book series. She is a Senior Advisor at Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Rochester, N.Y., and an Honorary Member of the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, Easton, Maryland.

'This is the richest and most important book on African American visual arts on the market. It has enormous period coverage without sacrificing rich analysis and depth. It is a book that will be crucial for anyone interested in African American culture, the visual arts, and American Studies. It is brilliantly conceived, deeply research, and very well executed.' John Stauffer, Harvard University -- John Stauffer, Harvard University This book is well written and informed by extensive research based on archival as well as secondary sources... A well researched and interesting book, a welcome addition to its field, and the author expresses an individual voice whilst also enabling artists to speak to the reader. -- Gen Doy, De Montfort University The Art Book This book is important because it explores onotlogical concerns that focus on the nature of African American art history, how it is written, its critical and theoretical frames and the need for more in-depth research and critical analysis... producing an informed and very rich narrative shaped by a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture... African American Visual Arts is a clear indication that Celeste Marie Bernier is a new talent in the room and that those of us interested in expanding the discourse on African American art history have good reason to await her future publications on this and related subjects with great anticipation. -- Floyd Coleman, Howard University, Washington DC International Review of African American Art 'This is the richest and most important book on African American visual arts on the market. It has enormous period coverage without sacrificing rich analysis and depth. It is a book that will be crucial for anyone interested in African American culture, the visual arts, and American Studies. It is brilliantly conceived, deeply research, and very well executed.' John Stauffer, Harvard University This book is well written and informed by extensive research based on archival as well as secondary sources... A well researched and interesting book, a welcome addition to its field, and the author expresses an individual voice whilst also enabling artists to speak to the reader. This book is important because it explores onotlogical concerns that focus on the nature of African American art history, how it is written, its critical and theoretical frames and the need for more in-depth research and critical analysis... producing an informed and very rich narrative shaped by a comprehensive understanding of African American history and culture... African American Visual Arts is a clear indication that Celeste Marie Bernier is a new talent in the room and that those of us interested in expanding the discourse on African American art history have good reason to await her future publications on this and related subjects with great anticipation.

• Chronology of Visual Arts by African Americans from Slavery to the Present; Introduction: The Historical Context; 1. 'Grotesque jars and voodoo jugs': Africa, a Slave Past and the Visual Arts; 2. 'Ethiopia Awakening': Sculpture, Religion and Folk Art; 3. Black Revolution, the Mural and the Fine Arts; 4. Creative Chroniclers: Developments in Photography; 5. A Visual Language: Graffiti Art and Installation; Conclusion; Guide to Further Reading.