lagonegirl:Augusta Savage was an influential black sculptor who challenged racism in the early 20t
lagonegirl: Augusta Savage was an influential black sculptor who challenged racism in the early 20th century, but few of her sculptures remain today Sculptor Augusta Savage was one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance as well as an influential activist and arts educator. Born in Florida in 1892, Augusta Savage began creating art as a child by using the natural clay found in her hometown. After attending Cooper Union in New York City, she made a name for herself as a sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance and was awarded fellowships to study abroad. Savage later served as a director for the Harlem Community Center and created the monumental work The Harp for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. She spent most of her later years in Saugerties, New York, before her death from cancer in 1962. Augusta Savage created ^^^^Gamin early in her career, and the small sculpture won her a scholarship to travel to Europe. Some sources suggest that the sculpture was inspired by a homeless boy on the street; others indicate it may have been based on the artist’s nephew, Ellis Ford. The French word gamin means “street urchin,” and the figure’s wrinkled shirt and cap emphasize his impoverished appearance. The child’s expression appears much wiser than his years, suggesting he has seen much hardship. The title may reflect how Savage herself felt as a young artist in Europe, struggling to make ends meet even after achieving success in the Paris Salons. #Black Artists #BlackGirlsMagic #BlackPride #BlackExcellence -- source link