Recounting the Last Few Years
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| Aaron Douglas |
Being in Harlem has been fantastic! Everything has been happening so fast that events seem to run together in my mind. Alta says that I need to take it easy on myself, but I cannot relent in the quality of my work. So much has happened the last few years… Here are the highlights:
I was not confident at the outset of my journey (I had originally intended to go straight to Paris to study the classics), that I could ever achieve my goal. It was likely due to the encouragement from Alta Mae and others that I was even able to take the leap to come here (Harlem).
When I arrived, I was amazed at the amount of life and excitement all around me. Here was a place where one's possibilities are nearly endless… where my race does not necessarily preclude me from success and, in fact, may add to it. I had planned on sailing straight for Paris, on my scholarship, but I immediately understood the need for artists such as myself and so began to take work. I intended then to study under Winold Reiss, who ended up being a great influence on my study of my African roots and implementing that into my art. It was during this time that I was fortunate to meet Dr. Alain Locke who invited me to illustrate for his book "The New Negro: An Interpretation". I finally received the fellowship that I had sought at Reiss' art school, but struggled financially until I took work illustrating for the periodical "Opportunity". I have befriended Mr. W.E.B. Du Bois, the outspoken editor of "The Crisis", who I feel truly understands the modern educational needs of our race. He offered me a job in the mailroom of his journal. I have also befriended Mr. Langston Hughes, whose poetry I find to be truly inspiring; he hired me to illustrate some of his work.
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| "Into Bondage" |
Alta finally joined me and we were married in June. Her encouragement has enabled me to be the man that I am. I do not wish to simply allow myself (artistically) to stagnate, but feel that I must continue to push myself to grow as an artist in every way. I determined at the time (1926) that I would continue to take work and study here in Harlem for two more years and then finally take Alta to Paris with me to study at L'Academie Scandinave.
My style is beginning to solidify… some have called it "African Cubism" or "Cubist Symbolism". Charles Johnson, a friend, has been a continued influence on me and hints every now and then of my taking up teaching in the future. I must confess that I am not sure how I feel about that. I continue to feel inspired to create art that depicts the African American as strong and glorious. Last year, I was contracted by Club Ebony, here in Harlem, to paint for them a mural. They paid me $700! In October the piece was revealed, (I am quite proud of it) depicting in both the tropical settings of Africa and the skyscrapers of the city, Negro musicians and dancers with instruments and in action.
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| "Song of the Towers" |
I feel that my abilities have grown considerably, however I still feel the need to go to Paris. Word has spread of my work and people certainly are talking. It is strange that I seem to have achieved a sort of notoriety as an artist here. I never desired fame, though I do enjoy having my work displayed in exhibitions such as the Harmon Foundation exhibition. I would like to do more mural work. I wish to make an impression on this nation of the greatness, beauty, and strength of the African American people.
-Aaron Douglas, 1928
Article written by:
Gabriel Settle
University of Texas at Arlington
US History 1312
Feb 20 2011
Gabriel Settle
University of Texas at Arlington
US History 1312
Feb 20 2011
In 1928 Douglas became the first president of the Harlem Artists Guild, helping African American artists obtain projects under the Works Progress Administraion[1]. He ended up going to Paris, with Alta (his wife), where he studied for a year at the “L'Academie Scandinave”[3]. He returned to Harlem and produced many famous works of art and murals.
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| "An Idyll of the Deep South" |
Some of his most famous, the series of murals at the New York Public Library at Harlem, finished in 1934, is “Aspects of Negro Life”[2]. After working many years in Harlem, and finally getting his Masters degree from Columbia University, he was invited by his friend Charles Johnson to head the art program at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. He worked there 26 years[2].
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| "Building More Stately Mansions" |
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Works Cited:
[1] Kansas Historical Society. “Aaron Douglas.” Kansas Historical Society. 2003. Kansapedia 10 Feb. 2011 <http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/aaron-douglas/12039>
[2]Sussman, Alison. "Douglas, Aaron 1899–1979." Contemporary Black Biography. 1994. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2011 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
[3]Douglas, Aaron, Susan Elizabeth. Earle, and Rene%u0301e Ater. "Chronology." Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist. New Haven: Yale UP, 2007. 209-12. Print.
