Saturday, March 10, 2012

PAINTING: "ASCENT OF ETHIOPIA" BY LOIS MAILOU JONES


     "Ascent of Ethiopia” was painted by Lois Mailou Jones in 1932. This painting is about the history of African American culture, starting with Ethiopia, and ending with the Harlem Renaissance. “Ascent of Ethiopia” depicts a large profile of the head of a presumably ethiopian woman in the bottom right-hand corner. It shows crouching dark figures that seem to be traveling toward the light of a big bright star in the upper left-hand corner and a bright light coming from what is presumably Harlem in the upper right-hand corner.
    This painting depicts some of the most important stories in African American story. The big star in the top left-hand corner represents two of these stories: the journey from Africa to America, with the star and lines next to it representing the stars of the American flag, as well as the journey out of slavery, with the star representing the Northern Star, which African Americans used as a guide when escaping slavery. The third theme is the story of gaining acceptance in American culture, specifically through the music and art of the Harlem Renaissance.
     An obvious Harlem Renaissance theme in this painting is "exploration of Negro heritage and history." The painting explicitly tells the story of African Americans. The journey from Africa seems to end in this painting with the light coming from the Harlem Renaissance. Jones strategically places her depiction of Harlem right on top of the Ethiopian woman’s face. This could possibly mean that the culture of modern African Americans rests originally on it’s African ancestors. Also, the woman could be a depiction of Africa as a “mother” who gave birth to the African Americans in Harlem.
Lois Mailou Jones
     I chose this piece because it’s an aesthetic painting, with a deep meaning. I like the use of color and form in this piece, with most of it being sort of black and blue, accentuating the bright yellow shapes. I like art that tells a story.

8 comments:

  1. This an excellent and multifaceted analysis of a beautiful painting that is rich with culture and depth.

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  2. This does make me think of Vegas for some reason but I too like art that tells a story.

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  3. That not an Ethiopian woman. Notice the pyramids in the background? Yea, thats a pharaoh....dumbass.

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    1. Actually it IS an ethiopian woman, this is a quote straight from the author herself: For example, to depict Ethiopia Jones uses the large figure wearing the ethnic headdress to signify the importance of Ethiopia to the painting.
      So there ya go, next time research something before you open your ignorant mouth, Dumbass.

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    2. Indeed xLaDonnaX! Mr. Bill Compton, like many of his ilk, presume to know more than the next person, ANY next person. This may be because those who came down from the Caucusus Mountains were still in their Neolithic age and stage when Africans were performing eye surgery. Ethiopia and Egypt have a long interaction / partnership...

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    3. dang good job u two. That man Bill Compton deserved to get flamed on and u roasted his ignorant self in the most classy way I've ever seen.

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