The Photographs that Shaped the Black Arts Movement in the Mid-20th Century

Photography is widely accessible and has become a common way to document daily life and the world. A forthcoming exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985, presents photography’s rise in the mid-20th century among artists, organizers, activists, and cultural icons. The exhibition includes works by more than 100 photographers, spanning editorial and commercial commissions, self-portraits, and mixed-media social critiques. Many works challenge state-sanctioned racism during the Jim Crow era and show protest responses to discrimination. Examples include Ralph Arnold’s 1968 collage combining football imagery with war and destruction, Ernest Withers’s 1968 photo of Memphis sanitation workers picketing with “I Am A Man” signs, and Ming Smith’s black-and-white image of Sun Ra in performance.

"Photography is often touted as the most democratic and accessible medium in the visual arts. Today, the majority of us carry phones equipped with powerful, easy-to-use cameras that capture our lives and the world around us, transforming each of us into a documentarian at a moment's notice. This omnipresence shapes our understanding of art and culture and often serves as a critical tool for political and social change."

"Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985 transports viewers to the mid-20th century, when the medium rose to prominence not only for artists but also for organizers, activists, and cultural icons. Featuring works by more than 100 photographers, the expansive exhibition ranges from editorial and commercial commissions to self-portraits and mixed-media social critiques. Many of the works push back against the state-sanctioned racism of the Jim Crow era and highlight the acts of protest that emerged from such discrimination."

"Included is a graphic collage by Ralph Arnold titled "Above This Earth, Games, Games" that splices cut-outs of football matches with images of war and destruction. Taken that same year, 1968, was Ernest Withers's captivating shot of Memphis sanitation workers picketing following the death of two employees. Creating a visual wall of signs declaring "I Am A Man," the strikers in suits and hats demand both better working conditions and dignity and respect."

"Cultural touchstones like the enigmatic musician and philosopher Sun Ra also appear. In a dynamic, black-and-white photo by Ming Smith, the jazz leader spins in front of the band, his glittering garb appearing like a halo of brilliant sparks."

Read at Colossal