African American Illustrators

These artists portray African American children in a realistic way. These children are shown as equals, playing and interacting with their families or with individuals from other backgrounds. Although harmful stereotypes of African Americans were seen in books before and after the Harlem Renaissance, this dissipated over time as the number of creators rose and people were able to publish their books and collaborate with like-minded authors and artists. The difficulty had in finding more illustrators for this exhibit could be a testament to how racism prevented these books from being shown to a wider audience. These images, even those by the same author, can differ in style. These illustrations might have been drawn from experience, or experiences that these artists desired for the future generation.

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Ernest Crichlow, Artist (African American, 1914-2005)
Untitled
From Lorraine and Jerrold Beim, Two is a team,
Harcourt, Brace and Company
1945
Oil pastel on paper
PZ7.B3883 Tw

Ted and Paul; the best of friends. Shortly after they see a coaster, they decide to make one themselves. However, they each construct different coasters, leading to the primary conflict. With teamwork, the problem is resolved. With every page turned, the illustrations switch from grayscale to several vibrant colors. Colorful illustrations begin and end the story. This color offers an allegory. Even though their friendship has ups and downs, the boys manage to sort their problems out in the end.

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Cecil Vinson, Photographer (American, ?)
Untitled, [Fun at the city library]
From Jane Dabney Shackleford, My happy days
The Associated Publishers, Inc.
1944
Black and white photographs
E185.86.S5

Rex is a busy man. He finds joy in most aspects of life. Here, he reminisces about an experience he had in the library. Rex, seated in the bottom row, challenges the viewer to find him. While it is not mentioned, two children are in blackface. It is a harsh reminder of how normalized racism was around 1910 to 1940.

 

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Lois Mailou Jones, Artist (African American, 1905-1998)
Untitled, [Thanksgiving Turkey]
From Gertrude Parthenia McBrown, The picture-poetry book
The Associated Publishers, Inc.
1968
Ink on paper
PZ8.3.M124 PI 1968

Intertwined with full-fledged illustrations, each poem is a fantastical depiction of imagination and childhood. In Thanksgiving Turkey, the fowl offers himself to the boy. The fowl’s passiveness is reflected not only in his words, but in his figure. When compared to the turkey in Newsome’s book, the fowl stands below the boy. Although he is almost as big as the child, the fowl seems more compressed. He does not look at the viewer, but straight across. Apparently, he is resigned to his fate.

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Lois Mailou Jones, Artist (African American, 1905-1998)
Untitled, [Turkey]
From Effie Lee Newsome, Gladiola garden: poems of outdoors and indoors for second grade readers
The Associated Publishers, Inc.
1944
Ink on paper
PZ8.3.N467 Gl 1944

Newsome’s vivid collection of poetry is accompanied by Jones’ stylized illustrations. Mostly regarding nature, her poetry is divided by themes; these include Christmas, puppets, and the adventures of inquisitive children. Most of the drawings are personified by Newsome’s amusing musings. The turkey is somewhat abstract. His spread wings make him more intimidating, not to mention his gaze seemingly directed towards the viewer.