Bumbershoot '76

It was at the Harlem Art Center that I was given materials and instruction in handling the plastic elements of line, texture, color, space, and value. My content consisted of scenes from the Harlem community. Paving the way for the generations of black artists who would follow, Lawrence was the first African-American artist to be represented by a major commercial gallery in the nation.  Without question, he was the most important artist in the City of Seattle.  Lawrence created this painting for Seattle's 1976 Bumbershoot poster in the style of his well-known Builders theme. –Artist statement