The term "ethnic art" is a catch all designation which describes the cultural creations of non-Western societies. Native American ethnic art, for instance, often celebrates nature and village culture. Given the predisposition of Western art scholars to pigeonhole ethnic art or to confuse pieces with folk art (otherwise known as "primitive art") serious art historians must examine ethnic artistic contributions one by one. In the United States, African-American artists have led a series of revolutionary artistic movements, which are generally considered "ethnic art" by art historians. One of the first of these big movements to gain international claim was the Harlem Renaissance, which shook New York City during the 1920s. After almost two centuries of forced voicelessness, African-American culture suddenly exploded in a seemingly endless catalog of creative literary works, paintings, and intellectual writings. Intellectuals, like Marcus Garvey and W. E. DuBois, organized and led this cultural revolution. Simultaneously, African-American musical art (in the form of jazz music), was coming into its own in the hearts of many American cities. Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, and New York City all boasted exciting jazz scenes in the 1920s. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the African-American artistic community gave birth to several new artistic movements, again as a means of expiating pent up class frustrations with inequality and poverty. The "hip-hop" musical school, which began at thrown-together street parties in New York, has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon that now influences billions. The "graffiti" movement, which was led by displaced African-American youth in inner cities, has emerged as a stylized fine art in its own right. |
