Jacob Lawrence Edition 1/7

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. “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: Street orators, bars, churches, dance halls, vaudeville, people at work and play, and the interiors of tenements.” –Jacob Lawrence statement