Since its conception, art in all of its various forms has been created for the sole purpose of the artist describing for the world his or her personal visions of a person, event, or place. As a result visual works of art leave the viewer with an impression of an extreme emotion. Whether that feeling is joy or the deepest pits of despair, the artist has done their job if something of their reality shows through their work. Painters of all races and ethnic backgrounds can surely relate to the “starving artist” theory. But for black artist the struggle has been a little more intense. Not only in the U.S. as the children of freed slaves, but unfortunately in their mother continent of Africa, Black American artists have faced discrimination and censorship. Fortunately both sets of unique, gifted artists are beginning to see some of the attention and praise they deserve. Black art painting is finally being seen for the huge contribution to history and the art world that it is.
Both sides of the world have produced amazingly gifted artists. In the Western hemisphere there are certain black men and women who paved the way for the African American artists of today. Horace Pippin is one of those men. After an injury in WWI, Pippin discovered his underlying talent for rich, historical painting. While he avoided the unpleasantness of life for a black man in the U.S. during that time period, he did produce black art paintings that spoke volumes to the viewer. His work was displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in 1938. A less known black artist that contributed to the black art movement in the United States is Walter Ellison. His most famous work is “Train Station” located in the Art Institute of Chicago. That painting is an honest look at the difficulties facing black families as they migrated north in the hope of a better future than the south could or would offer. These two exceptional black artists help give hope of recognition to the many gifted black artists that were to follow.
The scenario for artists from and living in Africa is different though. Despite the struggles with racial discrimination and inherent prejudice in the U.S., African artists are faced with even more difficult issues. Apartheid and censorship have long plagued this long suffering group of artists and painters. While expressing their views of the political unrest and unfair treatment, African artists have been subjected to severe punishment and censorship unheard of in the West. Thanks in part to the academic world’s growing interest in the work of the modern black artist, black art painting is receiving more attention and registering in the minds of museum curators and art galleries alike. Most of the credit belongs to the fortitude and artistic expression of the African artists themselves.
From its humble beginning in rock painting to its depictions of slavery, apartheid, and injustice, black fine art is an expression of the feelings and emotions of a diverse, racially unified community of artists. The rest of the world now has the opportunity to see and experience this unique form of painting.
Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA.
One of Africa’s most celebrated and renowned contemporary black American artists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa, Europe and the USA. His paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned.
In 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organization founded in the 1960s and whose membership comprises of distinguished African-American artists.
Find and buy black art prints from Moyo Ogundipe at www.Maigida.com.
Clefs, notes, rests, scales, chords, rhythm… How long does it really take to learn how to play the piano? The answer depends on your definition of what your desired level of ‘piano playing’ should ultimately be. There are professionals, semi-professionals, amateurs and people with next to no training. The following are three common categories that a beginner pianist might aspire to achieve.
1. You want to simply play a couple of pieces to impress friends; this frame of mind will help you avoid unwanted comments such as:
“It doesn’t surprise me that you don’t play an instrument. You never could do anything!”
“I thought anyone could play SOMETHING on the piano. You’ve proven that I was wrong.”
“I’m glad you don’t play an instrument. Why do we need more noise pollution in the world?”
Yes, people can be mean. Of course, I’m giving you the worst case scenarios, but it doesn’t hurt being prepared for the worst. Piano can easily be taught by a student copying a teacher, provided the pieces are not too long or complex. This type of rote teaching is a quick fix, designed to give a pupil confidence when asked by a friend or relative to play the piano. The downside is that a student will probably not accumulate a lot of repertoire using this method, unless that student has an astonishing memory or an incredibly accurate ear for music.
2. The second category of student involves an aspiration to play for one’s own enrichment and enjoyment. At this stage real lessons should kick in, including theory and practical technique. If music is to be taken as a serious, yet enjoyable hobby, then learning the language is essential in avoiding future frustration. Some of these frustrations might include:
“I wish I learned how to read rhythm properly. Why did I waste my youth faking rhythm when I could have learned properly? Why, why, why …?”
“I just realized something. I’m sixty and I can’t read music. Ahhhh!”
3. Finally, category three involves an aspiration for professionalism. In order to achieve this level, serious lessons and lengthy practice sessions are a must. Music, like any other language, requires understanding and an unusual amount of repetition in order to reinforce mental understandings of music concepts and tactile memory. Consistency in this category has the added reward of increasing your chances at receiving comments such as:
“Wow, you’re amazing!”
“I think my ears just smiled. Thank you for the blessing of your playing. Here’s some cash… now please play some more, oh great one.”
“I never knew real happiness until today. Thank you, thank you, thank you…”
Which category does the average person fit into? I would say the second one. Although the world is filled with professional musicians, most people want to be able to play a few songs and enjoy themselves. This enjoyment includes a bit of an understanding of the language of music, including clefs, notes, rests, scales, chords, rhythm and more.
So here’s some final advice. If you really want to know how to play the piano, ask yourself what your ultimate goals are. This will better help you channel your valuable energy.
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