Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power

African American art in the era of Malcolm X and the Black PanthersIn the period of radical change that was 1963–83, young black artists at the beginning of their careers confronted difficult questions about art, politics and racial identity. At this turning point in the reassessment of African American art history, Soul of a Nation is a vital contribution to this timely subject.. It also explores the art-historical and social contexts with subjects ranging from black feminism, AfriCOBRA and other artist-run groups to the role of museums in the debates of the period and visual art’s relation to the Black Arts Movement. How to make art that would stand as innovative,

(The Financial Times)The Black Power movement was more than just a protest group; it was a watershed moment in American history and a coming-together of enormous importance and influence -- not just socially and politically, but culturally and artistically as well. (CNN)This is a rich, absorbing and thought-provoking exhibition with enough themes and ideas to power three shows its size … this is an epic response to an epic subject and without doubt one of the shows of the year. The new survey of work made in two tumultuous decades o

Mark Godfrey is Senior Curator, International Art (Europe and Americas) at Tate Modern Zoe Whitley is Adjunct Research Curator, Tate Modern