Oh My Styled Life

5 Black Artists to Follow on Instagram

What is Juneteenth? Why is it important? And, why do we celebrate it today?

Recently declared a federal holiday on June 17th, 2021 – June 19th (Juneteenth) is a nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1st, 1863, it wasn’t until a whole two and a half years later on June 19th, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to proclaim that all enslaved persons were free and the Civil War had ended.

In honor of the anniversary, we pulled together 5 inspiring and talented black artists who we think everyone should be following on Instagram in 2021 and beyond!

Arielle Austin

@arielle_austin

Arielle’s work is an abstract play on color, composition, and texture. From layered oil paintings and vibrant abstraction, Arielle believes the viewer can find a part of themselves in each piece. She initially created art as a tool for personal therapy and spiritual connectedness. It’s her practice in staying present while also exploring the intimate relationship between subject and viewer with layers, texture, and details.

Hadiya Williams

@hadiyawilliams

Hadiya’s lineal artwork explores the relationship between history, memory, ritual, Black culture, and Black people across the African Diaspora. With over 15 years of experience in graphic design, Hadiya has spent a lot of time exploring her voice through her work, which ultimately, is how she created her distinct style. She loves working with her hands and says, “The adaptable nature of clay, the texture, and the blank slate, make it a perfect medium for exploring cultural memory.”

Karen J. Revis

@karenjrevis_studio

Karen is a printmaker who uses a variety of techniques from monotypes, lithographs, and etchings to linoleum cuts, collagraphs, and papermaking. Her portfolio consists mostly of abstract prints in vibrant colors and textures. However, in 2017, she started her REVISionary prints to explore her experience growing up in an all-black community in the 60s and being black in today’s society. She has murals of her work featured in New York City and Los Angeles as well as a featured publication.

Lisa Hunt

@creativehunt

Lisa is an abstract artist whose medium is screen printing. Her art explores patterns and their meditative qualities. She is often inspired by textiles and most recently traditional African American quilt-making. You may see her work most often in a gold-leaf motif and her works have been featured in Elle Decor, Interior Design, and Luxe Interiors + Design. She is also a founding member of Black Artists + Designers Guild. (@badguild)

Robert Peterson

@caleblee81

Believing he was meant for fashion design, Robert attended Parsons School of Design only to discover that sketching and painting gave him both a creative outlet and a balanced family life. After moving back to Oklahoma with his family, one of Robert’s celebrity sketches went viral. His new career has flourished with the affirmation that he is on the right path. Robert focuses his art on figurative painting and portraiture with his religious background playing a large part in his inspiration.

Want more? Check out our Juneteeth 2020 Celebration of Black Designers!