Explore the colorful world of art made by Black artists with this carefully chosen list highlighting their talent all around the globe.

The Culture: Hip Hop & Contemporary Art in the 21st Century by Asma Naeem

This book explores how hip-hop has affected music, art, fashion, and tech around the globe. The book shows about 70 items made by known and new artists, designers, and musicians and how hip hop has gotten more prevalent in areas from streets to catwalks and galleries. The exhibition also examines how hip-hop challenges power structures, cultural narratives, and social issues. Filled with pictures, it includes writings and interviews from over 30 artists and experts. 

Noah Davis: In Detail by Noah Davis

The book highlights the groundbreaking Underground Museum by Noah Davis and his wife, Karon Davis. It includes a special conversation of famous artists and thinkers sharing their own experiences with the impactful Underground Museum and how it connects to the larger art scene in Los Angeles. Franklin Sirmans adds a new essay, and Lindsay Charlwood, a close friend of Noah's, writes a timeline of his life, putting his artistic and social accomplishments into context. 

READ ALSO: 5 Heartwarming Books for a Gentle Start to 2024: Embrace the New Year with Cozy Reads

Deborah Roberts: Twenty Years of Art/Work by Sarah Elizabeth Lewis Deborah Roberts

This book is a detailed exploration of the art created by Deborah Roberts, an artist based in Austin. It covers two decades of her work, showcasing many pieces. The book includes contributions from various perspectives, offering insights into Roberts' social observations and the themes she addresses in her art.

Roberts uses images from American history, Black culture, pop culture, and Black history to challenge notions of ideal beauty and confront stereotypes. Her creations often feature hybrid figures, mainly young girls and increasingly Black boys, navigating the complexities of American, African American, and art history. The book focuses on how these young people, weighed down by society's expectations and stereotypes, work hard to discover their own ways. 

Kerry James Marshall: The Complete Prints: 1976-2022 by Susan Tallman, Kerry James Marshall

This book explores the lesser-known artwork styles of Kerry James Marshall, a famous maker known for talking about Black people not showing up much in Western art history. While many recognize Marshall for his paintings, his huge collection of artwork styles, including woodcuts, etchings, and aquatints, has yet to get much attention. The book sheds light on these prints created in his studio, covering various sizes and subjects. It serves as the first comprehensive account of these significant works, offering insights into the role of printed images in Marshall's artistic journey. 

Hughie Lee-Smith  by Hughie Lee-Smith

Hughie Lee-Smith's life from the hardship of the Great Depression through nearly the turn of the century is examined in this book. Much of Hughie's youth was spent in cities like Cleveland and Detroit, having lived during tough times in the 1930s. These challenges he faced growing up shaped his artistic path over the following decades.

The Midwest greatly influenced his art, as his social realist paintings capture the region's vast gray skies and industrial structures. Lee-Smith often incorporated carnival symbols like ribbons and balloons in his work, exploring the contrast between the playful spectacle of carnivals and their eerie imitation of reality. His paintings often featured abandoned urban settings as the backdrop for existential scenes, portraying a sense of solitude even when figures shared the canvas. 

RELATED ARTICLE: 2023's Artistic Marvels: The Best Art Books