Johnson’s definition of urbanism through visual art

Travis Molina

Stacie Cassarino

Introduction to Literary and Critical Studies II

30 January 2008

Johnson’s definition of urbanism through visual art

The Harlem Renaissance was a golden age of artwork produced by African Americans during the 1920’s in the neighborhood of Harlem that focused on the issues of racism, oppression, urbanism and black life. Of the many artists that contributed to this movement, I chose William Henry Johnson because of his style. His artwork depicts families and moments of the street life; such examples are “Street Life-Harlem”, and “Jacobia Hotel”. What makes him unique in his expression of artwork, is the way how he simplifies the subject of the paintings, but not the meaning. For case and point, “Street Life-Harlem”, touches upon an exaggerated version of Harlem; Harlem is in fact known for the gang and danger threats. However, he paints two people, a man and a woman, as sophisticated citizens, not ghetto residents.

As for William Johnson’s life, he was born around 1901 in South Carolina, where he lived with large family. Eventually, when he became interested in art, he immersed himself in the studies of other great artists, such as George Luks, Paul Cezanne, and Edvard Munch. Later in his life, he traveled to France where he received a large influence in his work. The time came around for the Harlem Renaissance, William continued to express himself. Unfortunately, later in his life, most of his works weren’t known, until they were discovered in a warehouse fire after his death by the Harmon Foundation. As for his later years, his wife died, and he suffered from advanced stages of syphilis. Last that was seen of him was in NY, the Central Islip State Hospital. Despite William’s death, his artwork remains an example of the Harlem renaissance and the traces of urbanism.

 

Harlem?

I found this image by William Henry Johnson about Harlem. I think its quite funny because the common notion is that Harlem is if not, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods of the City, where as Johnson depicted it as a socially upper class community. Lemme know what you think?

What were your childhood dreams about living in NY; did they change after going to Pratt?

Well since this is the first topic, I’ll go first. As a child, my NY dream was to be rich and live in a nice luxurious loft or apartment in NY. As of now, that dream has been changed to living in a revamped barn in Connecticut while commuting occasionally to work at my design company. 

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