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Archives of American Art
Oral history interview with Benny Andrews
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.andrew68
- Creators:
-
Andrews, Benny, 1930-2006Ghent, Henri, 1926-
- Dates:
-
1968 June 30
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
29 PagesTranscript
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
An interview of Benny Andrews conducted 1968 June 30, by Henri Ghent, for the Archives of American Art.
Scope and Contents
Andrews remembers his childhood on a sharecropping farm in Georgia, difficulties he faced being light-skinned, and his struggle to get an education. He speaks of the role of the 4-H Club in his escape from that life and his attempts at painting using improvised materials. Andrews describes how he worked his way to college and joined the Air Force. He recalls passing himself off as white in certain situations, the insights into race relations he was able to gain that way, and his consciousness of being black as it affects his art. He notes the importance of other artists who encouraged him, and ends with a general characterization of his work.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Benny Andrews (1930-2006) was a painter and lecturer from New York, New York.
Administration
Sponsor
Funding for the digital preservation of this interview was provided by a grant from the Save America's Treasures Program of the National Park Service.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Digital Content
More Information
General
General
Originally recorded on 1 sound tape reel. Reformatted in 2010 as 2 digital wav files. Duration is 2 hrs., 12 min.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Painting, Modern -- 20th century -- New York (State) -- New York | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
African American artists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Sound recordings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Interviews | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
African American military personnel | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
African American painters | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions