11. Michael Ray Charles, Pursuit of Happiness
It’s easy to forget how edgy Michael Ray Charles’ Forever Free paintings were decades ago, when the art market was not rewarding black artists for making art about “the black experience” to the extent that it has in more recent years. Charles’ minstrel character, based on advertisements and pop culture, inspired Spike Lee’s 2000 film Bamboozled, about a blackface TV show that becomes an unexpected hit. (Charles served as an advisor on the film.) Crisp and graphic, this deliberately beaten-up image questions the hollow promises of consumer culture, to say nothing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Declaration of Independence.
This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days. For details and to adjust subscription settings, click here.
Have a piece you’d like me to consider? Leave a comment—I can’t promise I’ll include it but I will give it a serious look!
Thank you...haunting...for me.....
His paintings always intrigued me. Wonderful artist!
Thank you.