The art world has long been shaped by Black artists who use their work to confront history, celebrate identity, and imagine new futures. These five trailblazing contemporary artists are pushing boundaries, creating vital conversations, and redefining what it means to see and be seen.
1. Hank Willis Thomas
Hank Willis Thomas is known for his searing conceptual photography and installations that explore themes of race, advertising, and representation. His work often repurposes historical imagery—especially from civil rights movements and pop culture—to examine how media shapes identity and collective memory. Thomas is also the co-founder of For Freedoms, a creative platform for civic engagement that uses art to spark dialogue around justice and democracy
Find him @hankwillisthomas
Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal
2. Arthur Jafa
Arthur Jafa is a filmmaker and visual artist whose work captures the complexity and raw beauty of Black life. His acclaimed video essay Love Is the Message, The Message Is Death juxtaposes archival footage, music, and cultural moments to evoke a powerful emotional response. Jafa’s work asks urgent questions about Blackness, power, and visibility in a world shaped by systemic oppression.
Find him @anamibia
Releases August 5, 2025
3. Kerry James Marshall
Kerry James Marshall creates lush, monumental paintings that center Black figures and everyday Black life in settings traditionally excluded from Western art history. His use of deep, unapologetic Black skin tones is both a radical act and a celebration of visibility. Marshall’s work invites viewers to reconsider who is seen, who is remembered, and how beauty is defined.
Kerry James Marshall: The Complete Prints: 1976–2022
4. Kara Walker
Kara Walker is renowned for her haunting black-and-white silhouettes that confront the brutal history of slavery, gender, and racial violence in America. Her work combines historical imagery with provocative storytelling, forcing viewers to reckon with the traumatic past that still echoes in the present. Walker’s installations and cut-paper scenes are both visually striking and emotionally unsettling.
Find her @kara_walker_official
Kara Walker: White Shadows in Blackface
5. Amy Sherald
Amy Sherald gained national attention for her portrait of Michelle Obama, but her broader body of work stands as a vibrant tribute to the Black experience. Her portraits, often set against pastel backdrops, feature Black subjects rendered in grayscale—a technique that removes color as a racial signifier while honoring individuality and dignity. Sherald challenges traditional portraiture by placing everyday people in spaces of elegance, power, and grace.
Find her @asherald
Amy Sherald: The World We Make
These artists are not just creators- they’re visionaries shaping contemporary culture. Whether challenging the canon, reclaiming narratives, or envisioning new possibilities, their work demands attention. Explore their art, learn their stories, and share their impact.
