Charles White Amongst Friends In Harlem

Over the course of his four-decade career, Charles White’s commitment to creating powerful images of African Americans—what his gallerist and, later, White himself described as “images of dignity”—was unwavering. Using his virtuoso skills as a draftsman, printmaker, and painter, White developed his style and approach over time to address shifting concerns and new audiences. White’s far-reaching vision of a socially committed practice attracted promising young artists, including many artists of color, and he became one of the 20th century’s most important and dedicated teachers. This conversation will feature a discussion of White’s life, legacy and work, and his influence on the work of today’s contemporary artists of color.