Finding aid for the Getty Research Institute African American Art History Initiative Oral Histories, 2018-2022
Helen Kim, Nancy Enneking
Descriptive Summary
Title: Getty Research Institute African American Art History Initiative Oral Histories
Date (inclusive): 2018-2022
Number: IA60010
Creator/Collector:
Getty Research Institute
Physical Description:
423 GB
(1302 files)
Physical Description:
0.88 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Institutional Records and Archives
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
Business Number: (310) 440-7390
reference@getty.edu
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10020/askref
(310) 440-7390
Metadata Rights:
Abstract: The records comprise oral histories conducted with postwar African American artists under the auspices of the Getty Research
Institute's African American Art History Initiative. Records date from 2018 to 2022 and will accrue over the duration of the
Initiative. Records include digital video interviews of individual artists conducted by the Oral History Center at the University
of California, Berkeley and group interviews facilitated by the Getty Research Institute. Contracts, digital and physical
transcripts, and images for select interviews are also included.
Request Materials: Request access to the material described in this inventory through its
library catalog record and click "Connect to digitized video." Click here for
general library access policy . See the Administrative Information section of this finding aid for access restrictions specific to the records described
below.
Language: Collection material is in
English
.
Administrative History and Project Background
The Getty Research Institute (GRI) is an operating program of the J. Paul Getty Trust, a not-for-profit educational, cultural
and philanthropic organization dedicated to the visual arts. Originally established in 1983 as the Getty Center for the History
of Art and the Humanities (GCHAH), the objective of the GCHAH was to foster advanced research in art, its history, diversity,
and meaning in culture by engaging scholars from various disciplines in the humanities. In 1996, in order to avoid confusion
with the soon-to-open Getty Center, the GCHAH was renamed the Getty Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities
and in 2000, the program's name was shortened to the Getty Research Institute (GRI).
The GRI's mission is to "further knowledge and advance understanding of the visual arts and their various histories through
its expertise, active collecting program, public programs, institutional collaborations, exhibitions, publications, digital
services, and residential scholars programs." The GRI's Research Library, consisting of over one million books, periodicals,
study photographs, auction catalogs and special collections of rare and unique materials, seeks to serve an international
community of scholars and the interested public. The GRI also spearheads research projects, exhibitions, and publication programs
and provides service to a wide range of scholars worldwide through residencies, fellowships, hosted lectures and symposia,
and its digital reference tools and databases.
Through the GRI's multidisciplinary programming, resources, expertise, and collaborative environment, the GRI works to advance
art historical scholarship of contemporary art. In September 2018, the GRI publically launched the African American Art History
Initiative (AAAHI) focusing on the postwar art and cultural legacy of artists of African American and African diasporic heritage.
The AAAHI's objective is to impact the narrative of global culture by documenting the history of African American art. Through
the AAAHI, the GRI will document and preserve important records; build its collection of relevant archives and related collections;
support scholars; generate new research; and disseminate its results through digitization, exhibitions, publications, and
public programs, all with the goal of increasing the visibility of African American art history, and promoting advanced research
in a Eurocentric field. The AAAHI aims to make the archival and published record of African American art history freely accessible,
both nationally and internationally, in physical and digital form.
As part of the AAAHI, the GRI established AAAHI dedicated staff positions within the Getty Scholars Program. It also created
an international advisory committee of 12 scholars, museum professionals, and artists to discuss developments within the initiative
and think strategically about next steps. The advisory committee's input was instrumental in helping to develop the initiative's
vision, refining and executing its different components, and consensus building in regard to acquisitions, oral histories,
research projects, programs, and institutional collaborations.
The oral history project component, led by Rebecca Peabody, the Head of Research Projects and Programs at the GRI, is facilitated
through a partnership with the Oral History Center (OHC) at the University of California, Berkeley, which conducts individual
interviews with understudied African American artists. The subjects were determined in consultation with the AAAHI Advisory
Committee. The creation of oral histories, which began in 2018, will continue for the duration of the research initiative.
Another set of oral histories, conducted solely by GRI staff, include group discussions with artists and art historians on
various topics in the scope of African American art history.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
The records described in accessions 2020.IA.27, 2021.IA.08, and 2022.IA.50 are available for use by qualified researchers.
The following types of records are permanently closed: records containing personal information, records that compromise security
or operations, legal communications, legal work product, and records related to donors. The J. Paul Getty Trust reserves the
right to restrict access to any records held by the Institutional Archives.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Getty Research Institute African American Art History Initiative Oral Histories, 2018-2022, Institutional Records and Archives,
The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, IA60010. http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifaia60010
Acquisition Information
Accessions 2020.IA.27, 2021.IA.08, and 2022.IA.50 were transferred by the Getty Research Institute.
Processing History
Accessions 2020.IA.27 and 2021.IA.08 were processed and finding aid created by Helen Kim in 2020 and 2021. Accession 2022.IA.50
was added to the finding aid by Nancy Enneking in 2022. Lorain Wang ingested the materials into the Getty's digital repository
in 2020 and 2021.
Technical Requirements
Electronic files deposited in the Getty's digital repository must be viewed with a computer that has internet access. Access
to digital files is available online through the link provided in the inventory.
Related Materials
The following materials are offered as possible sources of further information on the people, programs, and subjects covered
by the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
Institutional Archives
Special Collections
Existence and Location of Originals
Scope and Content of Collection
These records comprise oral history interviews conducted from 2018 to 2022 and finalized in subsequent years in conjunction
with the Getty Research Institute's (GRI) African American Art History Initiative. Individual oral histories with postwar
African American artists were conducted by the Oral History Center (OHC) at UC Berkeley. The subjects, chosen in consultation
with the AAAHI Advisory Committee, focuses on understudied senior artists whose first-person stories are critical to the study
of African American art history. Recordings also include group discussions organized and facilitated by Rebecca Peabody, the
Head of GRI Research Projects and Programs. Oral histories will accrue as the OHC continues their work with additional artists
over the duration of the research initiative. Materials include videos, still images, and physical and digital transcripts.
Arrangement
Materials are listed in one series of interviews. Interviews are then arranged in two categories: the individual oral histories
conducted by the Oral History Center at the University of California, Berkeley, and the group interviews solely conducted
by the Getty Research Institute.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Randall, Herbert, 1936-
Smith, Ming
Bey, Dawoud, 1953-
Cowans, Adger W.
Robinson, Herb
Chandler, Dana
Stevens, Nelson, 1938-
Williams, William T. (William Thomas), 1942-
Nengudi, Senga, 1943-
Edwards, Melvin, 1937-
Jenkins, Ulysses, 1946-
Bradley, Peter, 1940-
Gaines, Charles, 1944-
Driskell, David C.
Pindell, Howardena, 1943-
Mayhew, Richard, 1934-
Davis, Alonzo (1942-02-02)
Davis, Dale B., 1945-
Subjects - Corporate Bodies
Studio Museum in Harlem
Just Above Midtown, Inc.
Printmaking Workshop
Subjects - Topics
Art historians -- United States -- Interviews
African American art -- United States -- 20th century
African American artists -- United States -- 20th century
Genres and Forms of Material
Oral histories (document genres)
Video recordings
Born digital
Digital media
Electronic records (digital records)
Transcripts
Contributors
Getty Research Institute
Series I.
African American Art History Initiative oral histories,
2018-2022
Scope and Content Note
The records comprise oral histories conducted with postwar African American artists under the auspices of the Getty Research
Institute's African American Art History Initiative. Records date from 2018 to 2022 and will accrue over the duration of the
Initiative. Records include digital video interviews of individual artists conducted by the Oral History Center at UC Berkeley
and group interviews facilitated by the Getty Research Institute. Digital and physical transcripts and images for select
interviews are also included.
Arrangement
Interviews are arranged in two categories: the individual oral histories conducted by the Oral History Center at the University
of California, Berkeley, and the group interviews solely conducted by the Getty Research Institute. Indivdual interviews are
arranged alphabetically by surname of interviewee.
Access Information
Access to digital files is available online through the links provided in the inventory.
Oral History on Paintings,
March 25, 2019
(2020.IA.27) African American Art History Initiative oral history on paintings and oral history on photographs [sponsored
by the Getty Research Institute.]
Scope and Content Note
This conversation among painters Dana Chandler, Nelson Stevens, Randy Williams, and William T. Williams explores the artists'
approaches to color and the object; community engagement and collaboration through murals including the "Wall of Respect"
in Chicago, Smokehouse murals in New York City, and the mural program in Springfield, Massachusetts; and the supporting role
of artists and art spaces over the course of their careers, including The Studio Museum in Harlem, Just Above Midtown, Bob
Blackburn's printmaking workshop, and the African American Master Artists in Residence Program at Northeastern University.
As part of Artists' Archives Day at the Getty Center, the interview took place on March 25, 2019, in conjunction with the
opening of "Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963–1983," which was on view at the Broad museum in Los Angeles
from March 23 to September 1, 2019.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Kellie E. Jones (Columbia University), senior consultant for the Getty Research Institute's
African American Art History Initiative.
Oral History on Photography,
March 25, 2019
(2020.IA.27) African American Art History Initiative oral history on paintings and oral history on photographs [sponsored
by the Getty Research Institute.]
Scope and Content Note
This conversation among photographers Herb Randall, Ming Smith, Dawoud Bey, Adger Cowans, and Herb Robinson explores their
training and influences including jazz, family albums, and the book "Sweet Flypaper of Life"; Kamoinge principles and emblematic
photographs; and the expansive impact of artist communities on their work.
As part of Artists' Archives Day at the Getty Center, the interview took place on March 25, 2019, in conjunction with the
opening of "Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963–1983," which was on view at the Broad museum in Los Angeles
from March 23 to September 1, 2019.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Bridget R. Cooks, University of California, Irvine.
Individual oral histories:
box 2021.IA.08-01
Bradley, Peter:
Peter Bradley: A Life in Print,
2019
(2021.IA.08) GRI African American Art History Initiative oral history interview transcripts [sponsored by the Getty Research
Institute.]
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
Peter Bradley, "Peter Bradley: A Life in Print" conducted by Andrianna Campbell and Shanna Farrell in 2019, Oral History Center,
The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, under the auspices of the J. Paul Getty Trust, 2020.
Box 2022.IA.50-01
Davis, Alonzo.
Alonzo Davis: Artist,
2022
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
Alonzo Davis, "Alonzo Davis: Artist" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes in 2021, Oral History Center, The Bancroft
Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2022, under the auspices of the J. Paul Getty Trust, 2022.
Box 2022.IA.50-01
Davis, Dale Brockman.
Dale Brockman Davis: Artist, Educator, and Gallerist,
2021
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
Dale Brockman Davis, "Dale Brockman Davis: Artist, Educator, and Gallerist" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes in
2021, Oral History Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2021, under the auspices of the J. Paul
Getty Trust, 2021.
box 2021.IA.08-01
Driskell, David C.:
David C. Driskell: Life Among the Pines,
2019
(2021.IA.08) GRI African American Art History Initiative oral history interview transcripts [sponsored by the Getty Research
Institute.]
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows:
David Driskell, "David C. Driskell: Life Among the Pines" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes in 2019, Oral History
Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, under the auspices of the J. Paul Getty Trust, 2020.
Mel Edwards
General
Recording and transcript forthcoming.
box 2021.IA.08-01
Gaines, Charles:
Charles Gaines: the Criticality and Aesthetics of the System,
2019
(2021.IA.08) GRI African American Art History Initiative oral history interview transcripts [sponsored by the Getty Research
Institute.]
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows:
Charles Gaines, "Charles Gaines: the Criticality and Aesthetics of the Systems" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes
in 2019, Oral History Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, under the auspices of the J. Paul
Getty Trust, 2020.
Box 2022.IA.50-01
Jenkins, Ulysses:
Uylsses Jenkins: A Doggerel,
2022
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
Ulysses Jenkins, "Ulysses Jenkins: A Doggerel" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes in 2020, Oral History Center, The
Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2022, under the auspices of the J. Paul Getty Trust, 2022.
box 2021.IA.08-01
Mayhew, Richard:
Richard Mayhew: Painting Mindscapes and Searching for Sensitivity,
2019
(2021.IA.08) GRI African American Art History Initiative oral history interview transcripts [sponsored by the Getty Research
Institute.]
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows:
Richard Mayhew, "Richard Mayhew: Painting Mindscapes and Searching for Sensitivity" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda
Tewes in 2019, Oral History Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, under the auspices of the J.
Paul Getty Trust, 2020.
Box 2022.IA.50-01
Nengudi, Senga:
Senga Nengudi: Black Avant Garde Visual and Performance Artist,
2020
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
Senga Nengudi, "Senga Nengudi: Black Avant Garde Visual and Performance Artist" conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda Tewes
in 2020, Oral History Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2022, under the auspices of the J.
Paul Getty Trust, 2022.
box 2021.IA.08-01
Pindell, Howardena:
Howardena Pindell: Artist, Teacher, and Social Observer,
2018
(2021.IA.08) GRI African American Art History Initiative oral history interview transcripts [sponsored by the Getty Research
Institute.]
General
Recording forthcoming.
Preferred Citation
It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows:
Howardena Pindell, "Howardena Pindell: Artist, Teacher, and Social Observer" conducted by Andrianna Campbell and Amanda Tewes
in 2018, Oral History Center, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, under the auspices of the J. Paul
Getty Trust, 2019.
