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Heritage

1973

Wadsworth Jarrell

(American, b. 1929)
Culture
America
Medium
acrylic and metal foil on canvas
Measurements
Overall: 120.7 x 76.2 cm (47 1/2 x 30 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2016.268
Copyright
© Wadsworth Jarrell
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
229A Contemporary
Print
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Did You Know?

Look closely to find the words “African Rhythm," "Our Heritage,” and “Black Funk" emerging from the musicians’ heads.

Description

In this painting, dense patterns in vivid colors comprise the figures of two jazz musicians. Phrases including “African Rhythm,” “Our Heritage,” and “Black Funk” emerge from the dynamic composition. The subjects and visual traits of this work are rooted in the priorities of the artist collective AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists), of which Wadsworth Jarrell was a cofounder. Formed on the South Side of Chicago in 1968, AfriCOBRA was foundational to the Black Arts Movement—the aesthetic branch of the Black Power Movement that flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. After leaving Chicago, Jarrell settled in Cleveland, where he now lives and works.
Vertically oriented acrylic painting swarmed entirely in multi-colored patterns that create two abstracted musicians, the skin of both made up of dark blue, purple, and red pattern, and playing instruments back-to-back, shoulders hunched forward. The person on our left plays a clarinet in patterned yellow trousers and a red shirt. The person on our right plays a saxophone in a patterned pink outfit. Words such as "African Rhythm," "Our Heritage," "Black Funk," and "Preserve our Music" radiate out in rays from their heads.

Heritage

1973

Wadsworth Jarrell

(American, b. 1929)
America

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