Created by
AfriCOBRA, founded 1968
Printed by
Jarrell, Wadsworth Aikens Sr., American, born 1929
Subject of
Jones-Hogu, Barbara, American, 1938 - 2017
Lawrence, Carolyn Mims, American, born 1940
Jarrell, Jae, American, born 1935
Stevens, Nelson, American, 1938 - 2022
Donaldson, Jeff, American, 1932 - 2004
Jarrell, Wadsworth Aikens Sr., American, born 1929
Beck, Sherman, American, born 1942
Williams, Gerald, American, born 1941
Jones-Henderson, Napoleon, American, born 1943
Lama, Omar, American, 1942 - 2022
Date
1970
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 22 × 17 in. (55.9 × 43.2 cm)
Description
A double-sided broadsheet poster for the exhibition “AfriCOBRA 1: Ten in Search of a Nation” at the Studio Museum in Harlem. The broadsheet is printed in black ink on light brown paper.
The front side of the sheet features a depiction of the African continent with superimposed images of artworks by the ten artists in the exhibition. The ten artworks surround a group portrait photograph of the artists, one of whom holds a small child on his hip. To the left of the image, in a hand-lettered design, is [AFRICOBRA 1 / ten in search of a nation]. In the lower left corner, in small typewritten black print, is [AFRICOBRA – AFRICAN COMMUNE OF BAD RELEVANT ARTISTS] followed by two paragraphs on the collective and the exhibition, explained as “Poster art. Images designed for mass production. Inexpensive. We want everybody to have some.” At the bottom right, larger black text provides the location and dates for the show: [Studio Museum in Harlem / 2033 Fifth Ave. Between 125th and 126th / Harlem, New York / June 21 thru august 30th 1970 / OPENING CELEBRATION / JUNE 21st 2p.m. to 5p.m.].
The verso of the sheet has headshot portraits of each artist, accompanied by each artist’s birthplace, astrological sign, a statement on their work, and a list of works to be included in the show with dimensions, date, and medium. Pictured are (clockwise, from top left): Barbara Jones, Carolyn Lawrence, Jae Jarrell, Omar Lama, Sherman Beck, Wadsworth Jarrell, Napoleon Henderson, Jeff Donaldson, Gerald Williams, and Nelson Stevens. The design of the back includes the hand-lettered [AFRICOBRA 1] heading at the top and, at center left and right, two mirror images of the head of a tribal figure with painted face, an elaborate headwrap and sunglasses. Along the bottom is printed [WJ Studios and Gallery 1521 East Sixty First Street Chicago Illinois 60637].
Place printed
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera
Movement
BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)
Type
broadsides
posters
Topic
Africa
African diaspora
Art
Communities
Identity
Museums
Resistance
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2021.16.3
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a4855a09-ff12-4979-900f-541e09cff192

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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