Page 153 - index
P. 153
G
OOD TIMES FOR
AFRICAN-
AMERICAN ART
Sugar Shack by Ernie Barnes.
Artist Ernie Barnes at the Philadelphia International Art Expo.
Trough his prolifc creative work Ernie Barnes of his art on the set of Good Times. Te painting
helped to spawn a movement, one marked by Sugar Shack, shown in the opening credits of the
Evelyn and Mercer Redcross with appreciation for and acquisition of Black art. Seeing sitcom, became widely recognized, as did many of
Ernie Barnes (left) in Los Angeles, CA.
ourselves accurately depicted and desiring to obtain art his other renderings. In 1976, Marvin Gaye used
that manifested our distinct existence was the foundation the image on the cover of his I Want You album,
for the development and success of many Black-owned which further bolstered the painting’s prominence.
galleries such as October Gallery.
Paradoxically, in Sugar Shack Barnes is able to
In the 1970s, the television and recording media show both joy and sadness. Predominant in the
provided a platform for broader visibility for painting are fgures of boundless energy, jubilance
African-American actors with a focus on the Black and activity. Yet, in contrast, he includes a static
TV sitcom. Te Flip Wilson Show was followed by fgure of despair. Perhaps Barnes’ intention is
Sanford and Son, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and to provoke serious thought about the challenges
The Graduate by Ernie Barnes.
Good Times, the innovative Black family comedy that and difculties of the Black American experience.
debuted in 1974 and centered on the Evans family
A subliminal appreciation of African-American art In Barnes’ painting Te Graduate, an African-
(including Florida, her husband James and her three
The family in Good Times. children), who lived on the South Side of Chicago. was occurring. Tis was a treat that satisfed the hunger American male struts in cap and gown,
in African-Americans for positive portrayals of Black life. exuding confdence for achieving a dream.
Artist Ernie Barnes was invited to place some
152 153
OOD TIMES FOR
AFRICAN-
AMERICAN ART
Sugar Shack by Ernie Barnes.
Artist Ernie Barnes at the Philadelphia International Art Expo.
Trough his prolifc creative work Ernie Barnes of his art on the set of Good Times. Te painting
helped to spawn a movement, one marked by Sugar Shack, shown in the opening credits of the
Evelyn and Mercer Redcross with appreciation for and acquisition of Black art. Seeing sitcom, became widely recognized, as did many of
Ernie Barnes (left) in Los Angeles, CA.
ourselves accurately depicted and desiring to obtain art his other renderings. In 1976, Marvin Gaye used
that manifested our distinct existence was the foundation the image on the cover of his I Want You album,
for the development and success of many Black-owned which further bolstered the painting’s prominence.
galleries such as October Gallery.
Paradoxically, in Sugar Shack Barnes is able to
In the 1970s, the television and recording media show both joy and sadness. Predominant in the
provided a platform for broader visibility for painting are fgures of boundless energy, jubilance
African-American actors with a focus on the Black and activity. Yet, in contrast, he includes a static
TV sitcom. Te Flip Wilson Show was followed by fgure of despair. Perhaps Barnes’ intention is
Sanford and Son, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and to provoke serious thought about the challenges
The Graduate by Ernie Barnes.
Good Times, the innovative Black family comedy that and difculties of the Black American experience.
debuted in 1974 and centered on the Evans family
A subliminal appreciation of African-American art In Barnes’ painting Te Graduate, an African-
(including Florida, her husband James and her three
The family in Good Times. children), who lived on the South Side of Chicago. was occurring. Tis was a treat that satisfed the hunger American male struts in cap and gown,
in African-Americans for positive portrayals of Black life. exuding confdence for achieving a dream.
Artist Ernie Barnes was invited to place some
152 153
