DuSable Museum Celebrates Racial Pride with Groundbreaking Exhibition
A new exhibition at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago is shedding light on a pivotal moment in history when Black artists sought refuge abroad to rediscover their artistic voice. The show, "Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance," showcases works by Black American artists who lived in Europe from the 1890s to the mid-20th century.
Archibald Motley Jr.'s painting, "The Snuff Dipper" (1928), is a prime example of this artistic rebirth. The portrait of an older black woman is not only a celebration of dignity but also a powerful statement against racist stereotypes that dominated art at the time.
"We are not just celebrating the past," said Danny Dunson, director of curatorial services at the DuSable museum. "We're showing how these artists helped shape the 'New Negro Movement,' which was a cultural and intellectual rebirth that included the Harlem Renaissance, as well as awakenings in Chicago and other cities."
These Black Americans had to escape racism back home to refine their craft abroad. Once there, they re-imagined Blackness and asserted racial pride. Their work not only reflected their own experiences but also provided a platform for self-expression and empowerment.
The exhibition includes paintings by William Harper, William Edouard Scott, Ellis Wilson, as well as sculptures and photographs by Augusta Savage and W.E.B. Du Bois. It also features rooms dedicated to notable Harlem Renaissance figures Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker.
"We are persevering as we always have," said Dunson, explaining why supporting Black-owned institutions is crucial for preserving a Black perspective on history. "Black institutions, special institutions, and niche institutions that represent smaller groups always need more support and money and in-kind partnering."
Dunson also hopes to raise funds through a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign to support programming for the exhibition.
As the exhibition comes to an end in 2027, it is clear that this celebration of racial pride and artistic rebirth will leave a lasting impact on the art world.
A new exhibition at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago is shedding light on a pivotal moment in history when Black artists sought refuge abroad to rediscover their artistic voice. The show, "Paris in Black: Internationalism and the Black Renaissance," showcases works by Black American artists who lived in Europe from the 1890s to the mid-20th century.
Archibald Motley Jr.'s painting, "The Snuff Dipper" (1928), is a prime example of this artistic rebirth. The portrait of an older black woman is not only a celebration of dignity but also a powerful statement against racist stereotypes that dominated art at the time.
"We are not just celebrating the past," said Danny Dunson, director of curatorial services at the DuSable museum. "We're showing how these artists helped shape the 'New Negro Movement,' which was a cultural and intellectual rebirth that included the Harlem Renaissance, as well as awakenings in Chicago and other cities."
These Black Americans had to escape racism back home to refine their craft abroad. Once there, they re-imagined Blackness and asserted racial pride. Their work not only reflected their own experiences but also provided a platform for self-expression and empowerment.
The exhibition includes paintings by William Harper, William Edouard Scott, Ellis Wilson, as well as sculptures and photographs by Augusta Savage and W.E.B. Du Bois. It also features rooms dedicated to notable Harlem Renaissance figures Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker.
"We are persevering as we always have," said Dunson, explaining why supporting Black-owned institutions is crucial for preserving a Black perspective on history. "Black institutions, special institutions, and niche institutions that represent smaller groups always need more support and money and in-kind partnering."
Dunson also hopes to raise funds through a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign to support programming for the exhibition.
As the exhibition comes to an end in 2027, it is clear that this celebration of racial pride and artistic rebirth will leave a lasting impact on the art world.
these artists were literally forced to escape racism in america to find their voice abroad and thats so wild it makes me think about how black people have always been the ones pushing boundaries and breaking rules in art 
... like, don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that Black artists are getting their due recognition, but can we also talk about how some of these guys had to leave the US because they weren't allowed to express themselves freely? 
I mean, it's cool that they found success and stuff in Europe, but shouldn't we be acknowledging the struggles they faced too? 
I know it's an important part of history and all, but can't we focus on the present and move forward instead? 
. Maybe this exhibition is a good thing and will help people understand Black artists better 
. But still, I wish they'd also talk about how some of these artists' work was still influenced by racist stereotypes... that's not exactly something to be celebrated, you know? 
!! it's like you can feel the energy of black artists finding their voice abroad, breaking free from racist stereotypes... archibald motley jr.'s "the snuff dipper" is giving me LIFE 
i love how they're highlighting the Harlem renaissance and other movements that helped shape black culture. supporting black-owned institutions is EVERYTHING 
let's keep celebrating our history & art! 
... also, $10k isn't too much to ask for to preserve a Black perspective on history, but at the same time, where is that money coming from? 
I'm loving how they're highlighting these Black artists who took their talents (and their lives) abroad to create something truly special. It's crazy to think about how racism back home stifled their growth, but abroad, they found freedom to express themselves on their own terms 
. But what I'm really hoping for is some real-world change from this exhibition - more funding, more visibility, more opportunities for these artists' work to be seen by a wider audience 
they are so comfy i feel like i can wear them all day lol anyway back to the museum exhibition umm is it true that paris in the 1920s was actually a really cool place for black americans to travel to 
I'm all about celebrating our rich cultural heritage 
#RacialPrideMatters! The DuSable Museum's new exhibition "Paris in Black" is giving me LIFE 
Archibald Motley Jr.'s painting "The Snuff Dipper" is EVERYTHING 
#ArtisticRebirth #BlackExcellence. It's so important that we're preserving these Black-owned institutions and supporting them financially 
#CrowdfundingForACause. Let's keep celebrating our Black artists and their contributions to the art world! 
#ParisInTheBlack
. The fact that these artists had to escape racism back home just to express themselves is crazy, but it's amazing how they used that experience to create something so powerful.
, and I hope people take the time to check it out when it opens in 2027. It's gonna be huge! 
. seriously though, archibald motley jr.'s painting "the snuff dipper" is actually pretty deep... not just some old lady looking smug for the sake of it 
. but still, it's cool to see some love for the harlem renaissance and langston hughes 
! It's amazing to think about these Black artists who had to escape racism in their own country to find their voice abroad 
. And now, we get to see their incredible work, like Archibald Motley Jr.'s "The Snuff Dipper" - it's so powerful and beautiful 
. This exhibit is going to be a game-changer for the art world, no doubt about it 
to support their programing 
just thinking about Archibald Motley Jr.'s "The Snuff Dipper" and I'm reminded of how racism affects us all, even today 
I mean, can you imagine not being able to express yourself freely because of your skin color? 
This exhibition is so cool! I've always been fascinated by the Harlem Renaissance, but never knew how much Black artists were doing abroad too. It's amazing to see their work still being celebrated today 
️. I'm definitely going to check out this exhibition when it comes around 
I'm so stoked to see museums like DuSable celebrating their heritage in such a powerful way! It's crazy to think about how many talented Black artists were forced to escape racism back home to find their voice abroad 
.
. I mean, what's with the woman looking like she could take on the world? That's what we need more of – women who are unapologetically themselves and don't let anyone bring them down