“But what of black women?. . .I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.”

W. E. B. Du Bois (1868 - 1963)
Source: Famous Black Quotations, ed. Janet Cheatham Bell, 1995.

When pioneer and activist W.E.B. Du Bois commented on the strength and persistence of his sisters, he praised their ability to excel against all odds. The gift and curse of being black and female in America is made greater by the decision to pursue a career in the visual arts. The challenge of establishing and maintaining a niche in that highly competitive, predominantly male market is an obstacle that many of the artists represented currently face or have faced.

Hearne Fine Art salutes the collective achievements of our artists not by displaying images of struggle or despair. Rather, Daughters of the Diaspora is an exhibit that reflects our belief in the unity and strength present in the diversity of the artists’ backgrounds, mediums, techniques and philosophies. From abstraction to folk art, the signature artistic styles represented showcase the versatility of the black woman artist. We salute artists from as remote as Mexico to those living and creating in our region. These twenty amazing and talented women hail from all walks of life, conveying a multitude of personal experience, historicity, and emotional depth through their artistry. Daughters of the Diaspora is an excellent opportunity to expose yourself to a versatile collection of astounding personalities.

Laura James
Names of Angels
acrylic on wood
13" x 18" 

Artis Lane
Nude 2027
mixed media
26" x 20"

E. J. Montgomery
Merry-Go-Round
serigraph
32" x 24"

Dianne Smith
Breathe
oil
20" x 16" 

Marjorie Williams-Smith
Couple II
silverpoint & watercolor
13 1/2" x 10"