Alma Thomas, an exceptional and late career...
Alma Thomas's artistic career experienced several significant stages, often late but meaningful, in a context of social changes and racial segregation in the United States.
Initial artistic training and beginning of career in teaching :
Alma Thomas showed an interest in art from her childhood. She took her first art classes at Armstrong Technical High School before focusing on early childhood education at Miner Normal School. Although interested in architecture, she was limited by perceptions about women in this field. She then taught for several years, notably kindergarten at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware, until 1923.
Alma Thomas showed an interest in art from her childhood. She took her first art classes at Armstrong Technical High School before focusing on early childhood education at Miner Normal School. Although interested in architecture, she was limited by perceptions about women in this field. She then taught for several years, notably kindergarten at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House in Wilmington, Delaware, until 1923.
Studies in fine arts at Howard University and first exploration of abstraction :
In 1921, she entered Howard University, initially in home economics, but then turned to fine arts under the influence of James V. Herring, the founder of the art department. Encouraged by her teachers, notably Loïs Mailou Jones and James V. Herring, she begins to experiment with abstraction. She obtained her baccalaureate in fine arts in 1924, becoming the first graduate of the program.
In 1921, she entered Howard University, initially in home economics, but then turned to fine arts under the influence of James V. Herring, the founder of the art department. Encouraged by her teachers, notably Loïs Mailou Jones and James V. Herring, she begins to experiment with abstraction. She obtained her baccalaureate in fine arts in 1924, becoming the first graduate of the program.
Long career as a teacher and community involvement :
After his studies, Thomas taught at Shaw Junior High School from 1924 until his retirement in 1960. She launches a community arts program there aimed at raising students' awareness of fine arts. She also obtained a master's degree in art education from Columbia University in 1934 and studied painting at American University with Jacob Kainen from 1950 to 1960. His early works were figurative, evolving towards abstraction after his studies at Howard.
After his studies, Thomas taught at Shaw Junior High School from 1924 until his retirement in 1960. She launches a community arts program there aimed at raising students' awareness of fine arts. She also obtained a master's degree in art education from Columbia University in 1934 and studied painting at American University with Jacob Kainen from 1950 to 1960. His early works were figurative, evolving towards abstraction after his studies at Howard.
Start of a late professional artistic career and development of the colorful abstract style :
It was only upon her retirement from teaching in 1960 that Alma Thomas devoted herself fully to painting. She enrolls in courses at the American University where she discovers the movement and theory of Color Field with Ben L. Summerford and Jacob Kainen.
She then developed her distinctive style, influenced by Color Field, abstract expressionism, West African art, and Byzantine mosaics. His work is characterized by vibrant colors applied in small touches, reminiscent of Seurat's pointillism. She drew her inspiration from nature, music, and dance.
It was only upon her retirement from teaching in 1960 that Alma Thomas devoted herself fully to painting. She enrolls in courses at the American University where she discovers the movement and theory of Color Field with Ben L. Summerford and Jacob Kainen.
She then developed her distinctive style, influenced by Color Field, abstract expressionism, West African art, and Byzantine mosaics. His work is characterized by vibrant colors applied in small touches, reminiscent of Seurat's pointillism. She drew her inspiration from nature, music, and dance.
First exhibitions and growing recognition:
His first solo exhibition took place in 1960 at the Dupont Theatre Art Gallery. His first retrospective exhibition was organized in 1966 at the Howard University Art Gallery. For this exhibition, she creates the series "Earth Paintings", abstract works inspired by nature.
His first solo exhibition took place in 1960 at the Dupont Theatre Art Gallery. His first retrospective exhibition was organized in 1966 at the Howard University Art Gallery. For this exhibition, she creates the series "Earth Paintings", abstract works inspired by nature.
Late recognition with the exhibition at the Whitney Museum :
A significant moment in his career is his solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972. At the age of 81, she became the first African-American woman to exhibit solo in this prestigious New York museum. The same year, an exhibition also took place at the Corcoran art gallery.
A significant moment in his career is his solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972. At the age of 81, she became the first African-American woman to exhibit solo in this prestigious New York museum. The same year, an exhibition also took place at the Corcoran art gallery.
Influence and posthumous recognition:
Although she faced discrimination as a Black artist and was criticized for her abstract style, Alma Thomas is now recognized as an important figure in abstract expressionism, Color Field Painting, and the Washington Color School. His work has inspired many Afro-descendant artists.
In 2015, his canvas Resurrection joined the White House collection, under the impetus of the Obama couple, becoming the first work by an African-American woman to be displayed in the public spaces of the presidential residence as part of the permanent collection.
Important retrospectives have taken place, such as the one in 2016 organized by the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and the Skidmore College Art Gallery, as well as by the Studio Museum in Harlem. His works are part of notable collections such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Although she faced discrimination as a Black artist and was criticized for her abstract style, Alma Thomas is now recognized as an important figure in abstract expressionism, Color Field Painting, and the Washington Color School. His work has inspired many Afro-descendant artists.
In 2015, his canvas Resurrection joined the White House collection, under the impetus of the Obama couple, becoming the first work by an African-American woman to be displayed in the public spaces of the presidential residence as part of the permanent collection.
Important retrospectives have taken place, such as the one in 2016 organized by the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and the Skidmore College Art Gallery, as well as by the Studio Museum in Harlem. His works are part of notable collections such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Several artistic movements influenced Alma Thomas's style: L'abstract expressionism, THE Colorfield Painting and the Washington Color School.
After studying at the American University, Alma Thomas learned the movement and theory of the Color Field thanks to Ben L. Summerford and Jacob Kainen. She then became interested in the use of color and composition.
His style shows similarities with that of the West African paintings and Byzantine mosaics.
Twelve years after her first class at American University, she began to create paintings Color Field, inspired by the works of the New York School and of theabstract expressionism.
His series of abstract works inspired by nature, Earth Paintings, was compared to Byzantine mosaics and to the paintings pointillists of Georges-Pierre Seurat.
Alma Thomas was attached to Color Field painting of the Washington Color School.
His work is distinguished by its vibrant colors, applied in small touches that evoke as much the pointillism by Georges Seurat that the Byzantine mosaics.
2 addresses to discover the work of Alma Thomas:
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington
nmwa.org
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn
www.brooklynmuseum.org