With works in a variety of mediums by nearly 80 artists dating from the 1920s to the present, Black Refractions presented close to a century of creative achievements by artists of African descent, and celebrated The Studio Museum in Harlem’s role as a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about art and society. 

For the title treatment, I chose Zeta Fonts Blacker Pro for its high contrast and blade-like shapes, which provided strong visual contrast when set against Barkley L. Hendricks portrait, Lawdy Mama (1969). Both gold and a deep purple were used in the colour palette to highlight the regality of Hendricks’ portrait, which elevated the Black figure to the veneration of a saint.

Primary image

Barkley L. Hendricks. Lawdy Mama, 1969. Oil and gold leaf on canvas. 53 ¾ x 36 ¼ in. The Studio Museum in Harlem; gift of Stuart Liebman, in memory of Joseph B. Liebman 1983.25. © Estate of Barkley L. Hendricks. Courtesy of the artist's estate, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York and American Federation of Arts.