Though the 28-to-29 days of February are a woefully inadequate period of time in which to fit any and all remembrances of Black history, one can still try to highlight great achievement within Black culture in hopes of cultivating appreciation and celebration through every day of the year. In a society which has routinely undervalued and under-appreciated both Black culture and the talents of those who strive to depict it, it’s incredibly important to lift up and acknowledge the work of Black artists in our communities. Be sure to check out these incredible Black artists in Chicago and use the links to purchase their work for yourself!
Martha A. Wade
Self-taught painter and art dealer Martha A. Wade juxtaposes humans with animals, urban landscapes with natural wonders, and bold colors with black-and-white portraits. She creates stunning harmony through stark contrast, furthering her goal to “share love and light through creativity, as a way of genuinely engaging with the world as a real contributor.”
Nikko Washington
Hyde Park native Nikko Washington is an artist working in painting, collage, and other media; not only has he recently collaborated with the Chicago Cubs on a limited edition apparel collection, but he has designed album covers for multiple musical artists, among them Chicago’s own Noname.
Natalie Osborne
The Chicago-born, Art Institute-trained artist draws inspiration from “graffiti, fashion and art history,” and most often depicts Black women in beautiful, striking portraits marked by vivid colors and bold lines.
Dwight White II
“Artrepreneur” Dwight White II creates works (many of them paintings) inspired by “the ways in which one can capture truth visually to engage and connect with the people.” He uses canvas, walls, and other media to depict “connected cultural experiences” and share those stories.
Tyler Clark
Mixed media artist Tyler Clark strives to celebrate Black culture as she “incorporates hair, fabric and jewelry” to create “3D” paintings, which are most often portraits of Black women. Stunning braids, brightly-colored hair wraps, and eye-catching baubles jump off of every canvas.
Featured Image Credit via Natalie Osborne on Instagram
