Ode to Aaron Douglas

        While researching one of my favorite artists, I was elated to discover Aaron Douglas was a graduate of the University of Nebraska. When asked about his time at the university, he remarked, "I was the only black student there. Because I was sturdy and friendly, I became popular with both faculty and students." Born and bred in the midwest, Douglas eventually settled in Harlem and became a large contributor to the Harlem Renaissance art movement, a cultural eruption celebrating Negro heritage through literature, art, and music, that spanned the 1920's.

 

        Having received his bachelors at UNL in 1922, he went on to New York City, where he honed in his style as an artist and made his mark on American art history with his colorful murals depicting the African American's forced journey out of his homeland Africa to the forging of a new identity and culture in America that would follow. Douglas' work is rich with symbolism and many allusions to the Isrealite's bondage and exodus from Egypt. The sharp yet simplified profiles of his figures share a distinct similarity to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. His work also reveals the heavy influence of industrialism and modernism of the time period upon his style. Douglas' usage of lighting and colors emphazise important images that  he wants to draw the viewer's attention to. Oftentimes several symbols are highlighted within the composition with bands or waves of light radiating centrifugally from noteworthy objects.
   
        Although the execution of their styles varied greatly, Douglas attributed much of his inspiration to becoming an artist to Henry Ossawa Tanner. One piece in particular, stood out to Douglas as a young child. The piece was entitled "Chist and Nikodemus" and was one of many religious pieces which Tanner accomplished during his lifetime. Douglas claimed to having "spent hours poring over it." Unlike Tanner, who eventually moved to Paris where his art would be more widely accepted and appreciated, Douglas received relative success within the United States.

        This brings me to one final thought in regards to this month being designated "Black History Month." I am genuinely curious of other people's takes on this subject. Morgan Freeman was noted to have said, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." In your opinion, does the designation of one month to celebrate a specific race do more to help or hinder?