Black Arts Throughout Time 

James Baldwin is a renowned Black author and a trailblazer for many Black creatives who focus on their writing skills. This piece is meant to show that when we see the finished product of any Black creative’s work or piece in this exhibit, we should keep in mind the blood, sweat, and tears that went behind their personal creative expression. And given Baldwin’s stance of being openly queer, he has represented the queer community within the book Giovanni’s Room, becoming a pioneer for Black queer representation. But the manuscripts are just one example of how literature is a medium that Black creatives have proudly chosen as a way to express themselves and give rise to Black self-reflection in the world.

Writing and literature are unquestionably a big part of what this exhibit seeks to praise and highlight within the Black community. But this piece, a musical rendition of Langston Hughes’s “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, is part of this exhibit to illustrate that Black creations can transcend the original medium through which they were created. While it started off as a poem, the piece was then transposed into sheet music, with time and key signatures, and other important tell-tale signs of musical composition. It demonstrates that literature can cross over into music, much like how traditionally, literature would also result in plays and movies, and drama productions. It is an example of how Black creative arts can be adapted into different mediums and forms. 

This piece in the exhibit serves to demonstrate that Black stories and themes have been shared amongst our people since time immemorial. One tale speaks of the domestication of dogs, choosing a happy and fulfilling life with humans. It is indicative of how folk tales seek to make sense of the state of the world around us, and why things are the way they are. But this is done from an Afrocentric viewpoint and the tradition of folk tales would continue with African American folk tales that were emblematic of their time. 

“I’m Gonna Be John Henry” is a song with lyrics penned by Langston Hughes. The song is another example of how writing can play a role in music and its composition. The song is also important given the person this song talks about is none other than the African American folk hero John Henry as he proves his might against. This piece not only combines the avenues of literature and music but also draws upon folktales to give this piece a feeling of many different branches of Black expression coming together. 

The Decatur exhibit by Lava Thomas documents her ancestor’s efforts to be rewarded for his service during the American Civil War. The “Charles H. Arthur” piece from Lava Thomas is a part of this digital exhibition because it helps paint a picture of how long African Americans have fought for their rights in America, given the “Charles H. Arthur” piece shows him in his Civil War uniform, cementing the time period in which he struggled. With Lava Thomas being a contemporary artist, it helps illustrate that the creatives and artists of today are carrying the traditions of documenting history that our ancestors started. This piece helps tie the timeline together, from African folklore to contemporary visual art.