Brooklyn Public Library Marks Black History Month

The Brooklyn Public Library is honoring the life and works of the artist Warren Harris (1917-1988) as part of its Black History Month programming. An exhibit titled “Legacy: A Journey Through Spirit, Life and Art” pays tribute to Harris, who showcased many of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods in his paintings.“We are very happy to have the exhibit here,” the library’s exhibition coordinator, Barbara Wang, told The New York Sun. “The title captures the legacy of Mr. Harris and his family, along with the Brooklyn community.”Spread throughout the library, the exhibit includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and a film documentary about Harris’s life. His paintings are divided into six categories: Brooklyn, domestics, travels, portraits (family), collages, and nature.“The family is very proud,” a daughter of the artist, Eleanor Harris-Green, told the Sun. “It took us a year of talking with the museum, but it all worked out.”The fourth of five children, Ms. Harris-Green is a literacy coach for a group of P.S. 22 second-graders, who took a walking tour of the exhibit.“I remember being very impressed of my father’s work when I was younger,” Eleanor said. “He made everyone interested in culture and arts. I hope this exhibit does the same for those who see it.”The Brooklyn Public Library is displaying a portion of the 250 artworks owned by the Warren Harris estate.Ms. Harris-Green said the family is hoping the showing will bring more attention to her father’s work and contribution to the artistic world.“We’re thrilled we could get it,” a spokeswoman for the library, Ruth Wagner, told the Sun. “The community expressed that it wanted it and we want to give the community what it wants.”Harris, who started drawing at age 6, did watercolors of Brooklyn’s many landscapes. He studied at the Graphics Sketch Club of Philadelphia and at Cooper Union in New York City before training as a draftsman, from 1937 to 1940, in the Works Progress Administration. At WPA he interacted with artists such as Romare Bearden, Richmond Barthe, and Charles White.Harris was a teacher of drafting, mechanical drawing, and architecture at Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn’s Junior High School 271, and George Westinghouse High School.He won the first place Atlanta University Purchase Award for “East River.” His work “Brooklyn Landscape” won first prize at the Atlanta University National Negro Art Show. Harris’s sculptures “Mattie,” “Head of Man,” and “Black Nun” featured a love for the kinky hair, broad noses, and thick lips of the African image.“He just kept working because he loved it,” Eleanor told the Sun. “My father was such a humble man. All this attention would have probably embarrassed him.”The exhibit runs until March 26. Other Black History Month events taking place at the library include “Double Dutch Divas,” “Einstein on Race and Racism,” and author Donna Walker-Khune discussing her new book, “Invitation to the Party.” All events and programming are free and open to the public.

Brooklyn Public Library Marks Black History Month

Brooklyn Public Library Marks Black History Month

More from the New York Sun

Beck’s Long Ride Lonesome

Broken Sleep in Pregnancy Linked to Underweight Babies and Overweight Children

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Annihilation’ at UN, While World Leaders Focus Fire on Israel

Israeli Football Association Blasts Ireland Republic Over ‘Genocide’ Accusation Before Nations League Matches

The Online Backlash to Millie Bobby Brown’s Adoption Choice Is the Strangest Thing

Trump Administration Launches ‘Trump TV’ Amid Press Access Battle

Oil Price Relief Expected as Saudi Arabia Resumes Deliveries Through Damaged Pipeline

Trump and Xi Will Shadow Box in DC

More from the New York Sun

Beck’s Long Ride Lonesome

Broken Sleep in Pregnancy Linked to Underweight Babies and Overweight Children

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Annihilation’ at UN, While World Leaders Focus Fire on Israel

Israeli Football Association Blasts Ireland Republic Over ‘Genocide’ Accusation Before Nations League Matches

The Online Backlash to Millie Bobby Brown’s Adoption Choice Is the Strangest Thing

Trump Administration Launches ‘Trump TV’ Amid Press Access Battle

Oil Price Relief Expected as Saudi Arabia Resumes Deliveries Through Damaged Pipeline

Trump and Xi Will Shadow Box in DC