This New York Exhibition Celebrates Over 100 Years of Black American Art
Artnet News
by Artnet Gallery NetworkFebruary 24, 2026
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A groundbreaking exhibition at ACA Galleries in New York, titled *Continuum: Over 100 Years of Black Art*, celebrates the rich and diverse contributions of Black artists to American art history. Spanning from the late 19th century to the present day, the show features over a hundred artworks by more than a dozen artists, showcasing an array of styles and mediums—from still lifes and collages to textiles, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces. This exhibition challenges any simplistic categorization of Black American art, instead highlighting its complexity and evolution while placing these works in dialogue with one another to reveal fresh perspectives on their significance.
The exhibition begins with the work of Charles Ethan Porter, a pioneering artist known for his still lifes, which are celebrated for their subtle psychological depth and vibrant use of color. Among the highlights is *Bluer Than Blue* by Romare Bearden, a celebrated collagist whose work was deeply influenced by jazz music. Another standout piece is *Five Blacks* by Helen McBride Richter, a contemporary take on quilt-making that blends historical techniques with modern sensibilities. The exhibition also features sculptures by Augusta Savage and Elizabeth Catlett, mixed-media works by Faith Ringgold and Sam Gilliam, and paintings by Richard Mayhew and Clementine Hunter, among others.
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Originally published on Artnet News on 2/24/2026