This art exhibition features colorful and powerful paintings by Ernie Barnes and Frank Morrison that portray African American culture. Both artists use vibrant colors and depict African Americans in a positive light. Frank Morrison's paintings "Freedom" and "Dream Catcher" showcase strong black women through movement and symbolism. Ernie Barnes' works like "Sugar Shack" and "Room Ful'A Sistahs" depict joyous community scenes through bright settings and many figures. The exhibition aims to appreciate and share the artists' celebration of African American history and experience.

1. Colorful and Powerful
Art Exhibition
Brittany Waddel

2. Ernie Barnes and Frank Morrison
My theme is colorful and powerful. The reason I chose this is because
the artist I chose love to you such a bold mixture of color in their
paintings. They also convey how powerful African American culture is
through the pieces that they have created. I chose these two artist
because I believe they both complimented each other very well as far
as them having a similar style of painting. Both artists use very bright
colors when making their art but sometimes enjoy using more subtle
colors. They also portray African Americans in a very positive way
while still being real at the same time. Ernie Barnes always had eye
for painting so he always knew from a young age that painting was his
life’s dream. He enjoys to make pieces that have a lot going on in
them instead of just one focal point. He liked to make pieces that
reflect things that have happened in his or someone else s personal
life. He also likes depicting places that where really important in the
area that he grew up in. Frank Morrison started off as a graffiti artist
and decided to make a transition into painting as a job. He likes to
make pieces that have more of a focal point and don’t necessarily
reflect things that have happened to him personally. He enjoys
portraying African American as strong and beautiful. I hope that you
enjoy the pieces I have chosen and that they drive you to look into
other paintings by these artists.

3. Artist: Frank Morrison
Title: Freedom
Year: 2011
This painting uses a beautiful mixture of
color with a black outline to help the
viewer to focus on the woman in the
center. This piece really expresses strong
dance movement through the woman’s
stance and placement of her arms. This
piece also highly reflects African
American culture through the print on the
her skirt. The feel of this piece is free
flowing just as the name of the painting
suggest.

4. Artist: Frank Morrison
Title: Dream Catcher
Year: 2011
This is another piece by Frank that
depicts a strong black woman. This
piece is from his “Soul Sistas”
collection. The woman’s open arms
may be a reflection of her being open
to new experiences and to chasing her
dreams. He once again uses patterns
that reflect African American culture
and a beautiful color pattern to pull
this painting together.

5. Artist: Frank Morrison
Title: Little Hip Hop
Year: 2014
This painting is once again keeping in theme
with using bright colors and depicting African
American’s in a positive light. This piece shows
the story of a young boy who has aspirations of
making it big in the world of music when he
grows older. The painting has many things
scattered around like papers, shoes, etc. which
is what helps draw the viewer in.

6. Artist: Frank Morrison
Title: Speak Easy
Year: 2011
This piece was a limited edition
release by Frank Morrison. The
painting depicts an African
American soldier, from back in the
day, who is at a bar getting a few
drinks while chatting with a woman
that he has met there. This piece is
from Morrison’s “Romantic
Collection” and uses great coloring
that is a little more subtle than his
usual bright choices.

7. Artist: Frank Morrison
Title: Red
Year: 2011
This piece goes back to using those bright
colors that draws in the eyes. It depicts a man
maybe from the 1940’s or 1950’s who may have
lived in Harlem at the time. He gives off the
vibe of being high rolling ladies man. The piece
got it’s name because of the red jacket and
hat that the man is wearing.

8. Artist: Ernie Barnes
Title: Sugar Shack
Year: 1970
Ernie also enjoys using bright colors and
scenes with many different things going on.
This piece shows an old nightclub called
the sugar shack and how it showed it’s
visitors such a great time. You can see the
live band on stage having the time of their
life and the people dancing on the dance
floor like the music is moving through their
soul.

9. Artist: Ernie Barnes
Title: Room Ful’A Sistahs
Year: 1970’s
This painting depicts exactly what the
title says a room full of sisters. This
shows a room of woman having
wonderful conversations while relaxing
with friends. Maybe it’s a Friday
afternoon and while all the husbands
are out the woman are having a girls
night. Again this is a very colorful
painting with a lot going on.

10. Artist: Ernie Barnes
Title: Palace Barbershop
Year: 1970’s
This painting reflects the opposite of the previous one. All the guys have met
up at the barbershop for their weekly haircut while the woman are at home.
You seen a loan woman, possibly a single mother, in the shop watching as her
son gets his haircut. The colors are less vibrant than in the other paintings
but still colorful.

11. Artist: Ernie Barnes
Title: A Life Restored
Year: Early 2000’s
This piece was created
because of Kanye West. He
requested a painting after a
he had near death, car
accident, experience. You can
see that it seems like the grim
reaper is trying to get to the
viewer but the Angel of life is
swooping in to give back what
has been lost. A very beautiful
picture with a lot going on in
the background.

12. Artist: Ernie Barnes
Title: The Graduate
Year: No Date Provided
This painting was a personal reflection for
Ernie. It shows how proud he was to have
graduated because in his family and during
that time it was a rare thing especially for
an African American. You can see how
proud he is by his long strides and his head
being held so high. This painting uses
neutral brown and black coloring instead
of the normal in your face bright colors but
it still makes a bold statement.