[INSPIRATION] PEOPLE – Abstract Expressionism – Norman Lewis (1909 – 1979)

making aesthetically beautiful work made a valuable contribution 
to society and culture

Artist Bio

Norman Lewis (1909 – 1979) was technically the first African-American abstract expressionist painter and teacher.

He lived in Harlem all of his life and was born to Bermudian parents.  Lewis maintained studio space at the Harlem Art Center and participated (along with Jackson Pollock) in  art projects for the Works Progress Administration or WPA. The WPA was a massive effort in the 1930’s under FDR’s New Deal agency to put unemployed people back to work.

Artist Statement

Norman started painting mostly figurative art about the plight of Blacks in America with subjects like the bread lines of the poor and police brutality. Then, in the ’50’s, he switched to a more abstract style that celebrated the aesthetics of art. He often felt pressured to make works that reflected the plight of the Blacks in America. He felt that his goal of making aesthetically beautiful work made a valuable contribution to society and culture.

Most Famous Works

His most famous work is Migrating Birds which received the Carnegie International Award from the Carnegie Museum. Norman Lewis was the first African-American to receive such an award. A New York Herald-Tribune writer stated that the artwork was the most significant event in the field art for that year.

The Yellow Hat (1936)

Migrating Birds (1953)

“…the goal of the artist must be aesthetic development, and in a universal sense, to make in his own way some contribution to culture.” (Norman Lewis)

What Inspires Me About Norman Lewis

I completely connect with his sentiment in making beautiful art in that I,
too, make "beautiful" work. Even though I strive to make soulful abstracts; 
over the years, I've often felt that I needed to make work that spoke to 
the problems in our society. I see many other quilters and painters doing 
that and have often felt guilty for not saying something "more 
substantial". Deep down, I feel that every artist makes a contribution. 
That is the beauty of art. Everyone has something to contribute. So, the 
beautiful scenes of Water Lillies by Monet are just as important as the 
Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. - Angela