Gallery

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

​

Medium: Egg tempera on paper 

 

Dimensions: 8 × 6 1/2 in. (20.3 × 16.5 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Steven and Deborah Lebowitz 

​

One of Kerry James Marshall’s first famous works, A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self, shows his goal of making Black people central in art. The small but powerful painting shows a Black figure painted in very dark tones, with only the eyes and teeth standing out. The simple style makes us think about how Black people have often been left out of Western art. By focusing on this invisibility, Marshall begins his lifelong work of exploring Black identity, creating space for Black lives in art, and challenging the way stories have been told before.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955)

​

Medium: Acrylic on PVC panels

​

Dimensions: 83 5/16 × 119 1/4 in . (211.6 × 302.9 cm)

​

Classification: Paintings

​

Credit Line: Purchase, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation Gift, Acquisitions Fund and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Multicultural Audience Development Initiative Gift, 2015

 

In Untitled (Studio), Kerry James Marshall shows an artist’s studio where a Black woman stands in front of a painting of herself that isn’t finished yet. This scene is more than just about painting—it’s about how Black people can show themselves in art. Marshall wants to show that it’s important for Black artists to tell their own stories and create their own images. By focusing on the process of making art, the painting reminds us that Black people have the power to define who they are and how they are seen, which is a big idea in Marshall’s work.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 
 

Medium: Acrylic, collage, silkscreen, and glitter on canvas 

 

Dimensions: 9 × 13 ft. (274.3 × 396.2 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago 
Bernice and Kenneth Newberger Fund, 1997.73 

 

In Souvenir I, Kerry James Marshall thinks about the Civil Rights Movement and how it is remembered. The colors of the painting are very light and pale although colorful, but it is the central figure which gets are attention.

It also shows a Black figure FRONT and CENTER. The figure has golden angel-like wings, which is meant to show that the civil rights activists that passed away are like angels. The painting includes a banner honoring important leaders and heroes of the movement. 

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

 

Medium: Acrylic and collage on canvas 

 

Dimensions: 8 ft. 5 in. x 11 ft. 11 in. 

 

Classification: Painting 

 

Credit Line: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas 

 

Our Town shows suburban life through the eyes of African Americans, putting Black people front and center. The painting is set in a bright, beautiful neighborhood. It makes makes us think about belonging and inclusion, since we do not often see Black children playing and as the main characters of an art work. We don’t often associate Black children playing in perfect-looking neighborhoods. By showing Black figures in a setting often seen as mainly white, Our Town re-invents the idea of who belongs in the American Dream and artwork. The painting advocates the idea that the Black figure should be FRONT and CENTER.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

​

Medium: Acrylic on PVC panels 

 

Dimensions: 83 5/16 × 119 1/4 in . (211.6 × 302.9 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Purchase, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation Gift, Acquisitions Fund and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Multicultural Audience Development Initiative Gift, 2015 

 

School of Beauty, School of Culture shows a busy beauty salon filled with Black people, making them FRONT and CENTER to the story. The painting is full of life, showing scenes of people doing hair, talking, and sharing their culture. The salon, like a barbershop, is a place where Black figures gather and celebrate looking Black and beautiful. Kerry James Marshall here focuses on showing the beauty of Black women, which is not always a central focus of art that we see in museums. With this painting, Kerry James Marshall normalizes Black beauty and makes it central to the story. 

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

​

Medium: Acrylic and collage on canvas 

 

Dimensions: 9 ft. 6 in. × 13 ft. (289.6 × 396.2 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Metropolitan Pier and Exhibition Authority, McCormick Place Art Collection, Chicago 

 

Past Times shows Black people FRONT and CENTER, enjoying life in a big, green park. The painting is full of energy and details, showing activities like picnics, boating, and music. It reminds us that Black people were often left out of places like this in the past, but now it celebrates their presence and happiness. It also shows that they belong in a painting showing an idyllic scene. Kerry James Marshall wants Black figures and Black lives to be included in art and art history. Past Times shows us that Black lives also belong in these spaces. Kerry James Marshall use of white for the people’s clothes really allow the viewer to focus on them as central to the painting.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

 

Medium: Acrylic on fiberglass 

 

Dimensions: 72 in. × 9 ft. (182.9 × 274.3 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Private collection, courtesy the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York 
 

 

Black Painting puts Black lives FRONT and CENTER, showing a sad and important moment in history. The painting is almost all black and shows Fred Hampton’s apartment after his death. Fred Hampton was a leader of the Black Panther Party. By focusing on this scene, Kerry James Marshall is making us think about how important it is to show Black figures and their stories in history. The dark colors requires that you look closely at the work to see the details in it. It draws you in and makes you think about Fred Hampton and his importance in Black history. Kerry James Marshall uses this painting to show that it is important to honor Black stories.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955)

 

Medium: Acrylic on paper mounted on canvas 

 

Dimensions: 289.6 × 342.9 cm (114 × 135 in.) 

 

Credit Line: Max V. Kohnstamm Fund 




Many Mansions puts Black figures FRONT and CENTER, showing three Black men proudly tending a garden in front of public housing buildings. Their bright white shirts make them look important and central to the art work. Kerry James Marshall uses this scene to celebrate the beauty and strength of Black people, especially in places where their stories are often overlooked. By placing these men in the center of the painting, he makes it clear that Black lives belong in art and should be valued in these spaces. Kerry James Marshall wants Black figures to be valued in these spaces. Many Mansions reminds us of Black pride, identity, and the importance of recognizing Black communities in the larger story.

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955) 

​

Medium: Acrylic, collage, silkscreen, and glitter on canvas 

 

Dimensions: 9 × 13 ft. (274.3 × 396.2 cm) 

 

Classification: Paintings 

 

Credit Line: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City 
Purchase; Acquired through the generosity of the William T. Kemper Foundation—Commerce Bank, Trustee, 2003.24 

​

Memento #5 puts Black lives FRONT and CENTER as it honors important figures in the Civil Rights Movement. The central person in the painting is a Black woman wearing muted white clothes. However, her Black complexion is clear and noticeable. The painting also shows a banner listing names and pictures of important figures who fought for equality. Around it, symbolic objects like flowers and angelic images create a feeling of mourning and respect. Kerry James Marshall uses shimmering materials to make the scene look special and sacred. This work reminds us of the sacrifices made by these leaders and focuses on the importance of Black stories and history. Also importantly, the subject revolves around Black history. Kerry James Marshall wants Black figures to be central in art. 

Artist: Kerry James Marshall (American, born Birmingham, Alabama, 1955)

 

Medium: Acrylic and collage on canvas

 

Dimensions: 8 ft. 8 in. × 10 ft. 2 in. (264.2 × 309.9 cm)

 

Classification: Paintings

 

Credit Line: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Purchased with funds provided by Ruth and Jacob Bloom

 

De Style is one of Kerry James Marshall’s most well-known paintings. It shows a busy barbershop with different customers and people. It is full of energy, culture and life. It really captures the theme of the show, FRONT and CENTER, as the central figures are Black figures are not only visually interesting, but the way they look at the viewers brings the viewer into the scene. De Style is energetic and lively with its bright reds, pinks, white and deep black hues. As Marshall was also an avid art history buff, the title is smart. It play on the French word “style” and the African American phrase “to style.”  It also is an homage to Mondrian by the use of the rectangular colorful shapes. Black culture is celebrated by using a barbershop scene which is an important space in Black communities where people enjoy community and being social. This painting shows that everyday Black life is just as important as the famous art in history books, proving it deserves a place in art history. This wonderful painting is the perfect ending to show how important Kerry James Marshall’s work, because it is a joyful piece.