HBO Documentary 'Black Art: In the Absence of Light' Explores African American Artists
HBO released the documentary 'Black Art: In the Absence of Light,' directed by Sam Pollard. The film is inspired by the landmark 1976 exhibition 'Two Centuries of Black American Art,' curated by David Driskell. It features interviews with scholars, historians, curators, and artists, including Theaster Gates, Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, Amy Sherald, and Carrie Mae Weems. The documentary highlights that 85% of artists in major US museum collections are white, while only 1.85% are Black, underscoring a long-standing cultural imbalance. Archival footage and studio visits are interwoven throughout the film.
Key facts
- HBO launched the documentary 'Black Art: In the Absence of Light' in 2021.
- The film is directed by Sam Pollard.
- It is inspired by the 1976 exhibition 'Two Centuries of Black American Art' curated by David Driskell.
- 85% of artists in major US museum collections are white.
- Only 1.85% of artists in those collections are Black.
- Featured artists include Theaster Gates, Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, Amy Sherald, and Carrie Mae Weems.
- The documentary includes interviews with scholars, historians, curators, and artists.
- Archival footage and studio visits are part of the film.
Entities
Artists
- David Driskell
- Theaster Gates
- Kerry James Marshall
- Faith Ringgold
- Amy Sherald
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Sam Pollard
Institutions
- HBO
- Artribune