Artist's Process

Kerry James Marshall’s artistic process mixes careful technique with a deep focus on Black history and culture. He looks at traditional European art to rethink how Black people are shown in paintings. Marshall uses rich layers of paint, especially deep blacks, to give his figures strength and presence, while adding bright backgrounds full of meaning. His work combines his own experiences with larger stories of Black identity and pride. By reimagining how Black people are seen in art, Marshall challenges old stereotypes and makes his subjects feel powerful and important.

In this interview with Charles Rowell, Kerry James Marshall provides insights into his artistic approach specifically in his 9 portrait series titled Lost Boys, particularly his use of Black subjects in ways that confront traditional artistic standards. Marshall explains his deliberate use of intense black pigmentation for his figures, saying, “If you assume the idea of blackness as being somehow negative, then you might react that way to them when you first see them, and might be blind to the subtleties, the subtleties of character that I try to develop in all of the figures.” (Marshall and Rowell p. 265). This technique challenges the conventions of skin tone and invites viewers to engage with the symbolism embedded in his work. He also discusses his use of narrative elements, "I wanted to do work that entered into the museum on a scale that was equal to anything else you might see there.” aiming to depict Black life in ways that validate the community’s experiences and aspirations in white America. (Marshall and Rowell p. 269).