James Van Der Zee – Culture Shock Art

May 11, 2016May 11, 2016

The Art of Serendipity: James Van Der Zee & Derek Fordjour

I love little moments of artistic serendipity. I come across them often and they are the fuel behind this site. Today, while looking at the work of photographer James Van Der Zee, I came across this picture: It immediately reminded me of a painting by Derek Fordjour that I fell in love with a few months ago. … Continue reading The Art of Serendipity: James Van Der Zee & Derek Fordjour

February 4, 2016February 8, 2016

Artist a Day Challenge 2016-4: James Van Der Zee

James Van Der Zee was a prolific photographer documenting Harlem in the 1920’s and 1930’s with work that earned him the unofficial title of “Photographer of the Harlem Renaissance.” With a mission to highlight middle class life, his work featured portraits of black New Yorkers, showing a side of life that was virtually invisible outside the African American community. He was very … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge 2016-4: James Van Der Zee