Get It In Your Mind #36: The William H. Johnson Prize

"The William H. Johnson Foundation for the Arts was established in 2001, the centenary of the birth of William H. Johnson.  Recognizing that minority artists often need economic assistance, and inspired by Johnson’s story, the Foundation seeks to encourage artists early in their careers by offering financial grants. Visual artists working in the following media are encouraged  to submit applications: painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, installation and new genre. Grants are awarded at the end of the calendar year. In addition, the Foundation will support projects aimed at broadening awareness of the life and work of William H. Johnson and other African American artists, mainly through exhibitions and publications.

The William H. Johnson Prize is awarded annually to an early career African American artist. For our purposes, "early career" is a flexible term that should be interpreted liberally to include artists who have finished their academic work within twelve years from the year that the prize is awarded. For example, a person who finished their studies in 1999 is eligible to apply in 2011, but not in 2012. Age is not determinative, and artists who have not earned BFAs or MFAs are still eligible so long as they have not been working as an artist for more than twelve years."

This grant never disappoints with regard to its honorees.  It's a veritable 'who you should know' of the Contemporary Art World.  I'll be faithfully submitting my application every year, until 2024!  In either case the 2011 Prize goes to...

...Deborah Grant!  According to the Foundation's website "Grant's work appropriates and reconfigures the artwork of famous male artists such as Picasso, Basquiat, Bacon and Traylor. In a style that she calls "Random Select," Grant reworks their images while adding drawing and collage to refer to history, contemporary events and narratives pertinent to her own life experience and identity. In her series By The Skin of Our Teeth, she used Bill Traylor's images to conflate his narrative with slavery, Jim Crow and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina."  I just think she is off the chain!  Congratulations to Ms. Grant (go ladies, go ladies...) and the finalists Derrick Adams and Clifford Owens.