ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Roy DeCarava's 'New York 19' Exhibition Explores Black Genius Through Harlem Photography

exhibition · 2026-04-22

Anders Wahlstedt Fine Art presented 'Roy DeCarava: New York 19' from March 31 to May 14, 2016, featuring nine silver gelatin prints from a CBS special aired in 1960. The exhibition delved into themes of solitude, particularly through images of women in Harlem, such as those depicting 'Lonely Woman.' DeCarava, who was born in Harlem and graduated from Cooper Union, made history as the first African-American to secure a Guggenheim fellowship in 1952. His photography reflects the nuances of daily life and the complexities of the black experience. Additionally, a February 2016 symposium at the Schomburg Center examined the notion of 'black genius,' as discussed in Walter Mosley's 2000 publication. His work often obscures faces, lending a surreal quality, including 'Child Playing at Curb, Eighth Avenue' from 1952.

Key facts

  • Exhibition ran March 31 to May 14, 2016 at Anders Wahlstedt Fine Art
  • Featured nine silver gelatin photographs from 1960 originally for CBS special 'Belafonte: New York 19'
  • Roy DeCarava was first African-American photographer to receive Guggenheim fellowship in 1952
  • DeCarava graduated from Cooper Union and rejected painting as 'white man's medium'
  • Concept of 'black genius' discussed in relation to exhibition themes
  • Walter Mosley's 2000 book 'Black Genius' featured contributions from Melvin Van Peebles, Spike Lee, bell hooks
  • Schomburg Center symposium in February 2016 included Dr. Jordana Saggese, Kim Drew, Dr. David Clinton Wills, Juliana Huxtable
  • Exhibition included 1952 photograph 'Child Playing at Curb, Eighth Avenue' alongside 1960 works

Entities

Artists

  • Roy DeCarava
  • Jean-Michel Basquiat
  • Melvin Van Peebles
  • Spike Lee
  • bell hooks
  • Walter Mosley
  • Kanye West
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Terry Gross
  • James Baldwin

Institutions

  • Anders Wahlstedt Fine Art
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
  • Cooper Union
  • Guggenheim Foundation
  • CBS
  • Fader

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • Harlem
  • 40 E 63rd St #2
  • Park Avenue
  • Madison Avenue

Sources