David Driskell discusses the importance of Black art

 

        David Driskell leads the umbrella dance         

David Driskell made  a name for himself  painting  intense abstract pieces that capture the essence of the Black American culture. Now he spends his time mentoring others like Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, the 2013 recipient of his namesake, The High Museum of Art David Driskell Prize. Before Driskell put on his dancing shoes he explained why the High Museum of art is setting the standard in art appreciation .

 

Tell me your opinion on Andrea?

She considers herself one of my mentees. She’s doing a wonderful job...a  fantastic job. She’s one of the stars in the museum world, in many ways, not only for her scholarship, but innovativeness of her skills. She doesn’t do ordinary exhibitions. She’s looking for exhibitions that single out the importance of what women are doing in the arts, as well as the cutting edge. She does exhibitions that are not being seen in other places.

Why is something like the David Driskell Award important in honoring African-American art work?

Well, I think its the missing link in American art and until such time it is properly placed in the compendium we have to have it singled out. People still look to things like the media and if they don’t see it in print it doesn’t exist.  So its very important we continue to highlight it as a significant part of American art not just African-American art.

 

What do you think of the work being done at the High Museum of Art?

The high museum is leading the nation in African-American Art, I don’t know any other mainstream museum doing it that way. We aren’t at the promised land, but we certainly are ahead of others.

*David Driskell passed away on April 1, 2020 in Hyattsville, Maryland