Art and Everything After

Art has long been a powerful tool in shaping society and driving social change, with black artists playing an essential role throughout history. From stirring musical performances to thought-provoking visuals, these creatives have used their talents to challenge norms, raise awareness about racial inequities, and inspire generations of activists. Today, the influence of African American artists continues to grow as technology amplifies their voices and reaches across the globe. Yet challenges persist in achieving equal representation and support within the artistic community. _______________________________________________________________________ Key Takeaways Black artists have historically and continue to use their artistic expression as a tool for social change, utilizing various forms of art to spark conversation and advocate for marginalized communities. The lack of diversity within the art industry can create barriers for black artists seeking recognition, but amplification through technology and social media has enabled greater visibility and opportunities for representation. Advocating for political and social change through art can come with risks and challenges regarding censorship, financial support, and backlash from opposition; recognizing the importance of diverse voices is crucial in promoting cultural progression. _______________________________________________________________________ The Impact Of Art In Driving Social Change Art has the power to shape society and public opinion, including its impact on social justice movements; people of color have played a significant role in contributing to the arts and promoting social change. The Role Of Art In Shaping Society And Public Opinion The power of art to shape society and public opinion is both immense and transformative. As a means of creative expression, it allows artists to showcase their talents and provide commentary on social, political, and cultural issues that affect the world around them. Throughout history, various forms of artistic expression have resonated with audiences by pushing boundaries or illuminating critical perspectives on pressing societal matters. Take, for …

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As I’ve discussed previously, African American art is unique. African American art traces its roots from African slaves brought to the United States for labor. Slaves came to America equipped with traditions and skills that they attained from their homeland. African Americans have immensely contributed to American culture, but the contributions were unrecognized as a result of violence from slavery and racism. However, the oppression did not deter them as they went on to develop art and create literature that mirrored their experiences. One of the peaks for the artists was witnessed in the Harlem Renaissance, which is a literary period that focused on black people. Some of the art they came with include woodcarving, basket weaving, and metalwork. You can see their expertise in art in items such as clay vessels and hand-sewn quilts. Comparison to other Ethnicities Art lovers are awestruck by African American art due to its unique characteristics and designs that are a reflection of the diverse and rich history and culture of different African American roots and origins. The art is in the form of paintings, sculptures, dolls, and masks that people purchase to decorate their living spaces or add their art collection. While comparing to art from other ethnicities such as the Latino, their art commenced as a nationalist venture in the 19th century. Its inspiration came from independence movements that happened when the 19th century started. For example, when creating visual arts, the artists were taught amateurs who were mainly foreigners, architects, or priests. This is contrary to African Americans who were less privileged, where they had to experience slavery. Latino art took on the form of a travel catalogue where each piece of art was a reminder of where they have been. Artists had little history in the art culture of their …

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When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, stress is a major factor.  In 2020, it’s even more of a stressor given the politics and the racial tensions. But life stresses are brought about by a variety of reasons like demands from our workplaces, the economy, pressure from our environment, family and friends, past events, or even the economy. When stress occurs repeatedly, it will affect our health, both mentally and physically. One of the major relievers of stress is creating art. It gives room for positive ways of stress processing and managing emotions of the events of both past and present. Art distracts your mind and gives it a break far from the worries of life and anxiety that causes uncertainty, and depression, therefore, offering the mind some therapy. Despite adults having the feeling that they are not good in art and that it belongs to kids, the talented ones, and professionals, it benefits from being therapeutic. They need to understand that the end product is barely useful, and the emphasis is on the art creation process to aid in stress relief. Art creation stimulates the release of a chemical known as dopamine from the body. Anytime we engage ourselves in something that gives us pleasure, the chemical is released, and it makes us happier. This neurotransmitter is very important in battling anxiety or depression. Art gives you the advantage of leaving you with a beautiful thing to show. Its involvement takes all the concentration, therefore, improving performance, and lowering the levels of stress. In regards to research, art has been found to reduce stress levels within 45 minutes of participation. Art ameliorates stress in several ways. They include: Acting as a Self-Care Form Despite the responsibilities and challenges of life, we deserve care to self and some downtime. …

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We have different types of arts that can be created for school-aged children. There are several benefits related to the arts during the child’s development. Art has been there for the longest time and it defines how civilization has taken place and the traditions and culture of a certain group. Art has also been used as a form of therapy to help people overcome stress and other kinds of illness. Some people also earn a leaving using their skills in art. Art has also been used to bring people together as they express their skills. We are going to look at the benefits of art to school-aged kids. 1. Kids and Their Motor Skills Art brings out several types of motor skills that can be beneficial to the kids. These are:  The gross motor skills- this involves activities such as drawing, scribbling, painting, and scribbling which initiates coordination’s between the brain and the muscles.  Fine motor skill- the activities involved like the use of scissors will help exercise fingers and hands muscles.  Coordination between hand and eye-when undertaking art activity like drawing the eye guides our hands on what to do. These activities help the kid improve on the hand and eye coordination. 2. Children can improve their language skills Art can help in developing the kids’ communication skills and develop their vocabulary.  Language skills-art will give the kids a chance to talk about their favorite colors and shapes. They can also describe what they are doing this helps them in developing their vocabulary.  Comprehension skills-art helps the kind have a better understanding of what is going on around them. They also get to learn how certain things are done and comprehend.  Literacy-art activities will help your kids learn to listen write and speaking …

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An Artists Perspective On Ethnic Art Black people in America have been creating art for hundreds of years in an effort to restore a culture that was ripped from them, often violently. Slave owners did everything in their power to dehumanize those who were forced into servitude. They tried to stamp out native languages and any cultural links. This is why modern African American art bears little resemblance to more traditional forms of African art. This is a style of art that has emerged to celebrate the fact of being black in the United States. Just as African American culture evolved to encompass many parts of daily life, including the cuisine, the music, and speech patterns, in its most potent form, African American art can be a shock to the senses and quite unlike anything else. Earliest Forms of African American Art Due to the bondage they were forced to be in, many of the earliest African American artists were untrained in the classical sense. Many artists were craftsmen who made objects which served a functional purpose but were also highly decorative. These include wood and metal goods as well as some textiles. Many painters did landscapes or portraits, developing a new style that had almost nothing to do with popular techniques of the time. How African American Art Impacted the Post Civil War United States A lot of African American artists from the middle half of the 19th century to the advent of the 20th century were still craftsmen. Many of them tried to scrape together money by performing any task that held value, including basket weaving, quilting and working as a carpenter. Some scholars believe these served a larger service than simply self expression. It is believed that some quilt squares were designed to be coded escape plans …

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