African-American Writer-Artists

Posted by Sharyn Skeeter Jul 12, 2006

When I talked with Elisheba Johnson, owner of Faire Gallery/Café, she mentioned that in the past century artists have produced cross-disciplinary projects. Her own father, novelist Charles Johnson, has also published cartoons. This reminded me of the many African-American authors who have also created or been influenced by visual arts and music. The scope and diversity of their work is truly impressive.

Gwendolyn Bennett was a Harlem Renaissance poet, fiction writer, journalist, and visual artist. Around the same time, Langston Hughes was infusing his poetry with the blues. Sterling Brown recorded some of his poetry to music. Contemporary poet, Michael S. Harper edited Brown's collected poems. His own poetry is influenced by jazz and the blues.

When he came to New York, Ralph Ellison wanted to get a job as a trumpet player. Fortunately for those of us who read Invisible Man, his hope of being a musician didn't work out.

Ted Joans was a Beat poet who painted and played jazz. Bob Kaufman, another Beat poet influenced by jazz, was called "The Original Bebop Man" for his performances.

The "Princess of Black Poetry," Nikki Giovanni, has combined her poetry with gospel choirs in concert and recordings.

Gil Scott-Heron, said to be the founding father of rap, is a poet, writer, and musician. He has published several books and one of his best known albums is The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Hip-hop star Sister Souljah has just published her second novel, The Coldest Winter Ever.

Barbara Chase-Riboud, a sculptor, has published several novels, including Sally Hemings. Novelist, poet and essayist, Clarence Major, is a painter. Entertainer Bill Cosby writes nonfiction books.

Here are a few other multitalented African Americans: Adrian Piper is a philosopher, writer, and conceptual artist. Miles Davis, renowned jazzman, was a painter, as is movie star Billy Dee Williams.

I know that there are many more multifaceted writer-artists than I have space for here. So much talent!