Augusta Christine Fells also known as Augusta Savage was an African American sculptor. She was born in Florida, and died in Harlem in the 1960's. Augusta was one of many great African American artist working for what she loved, and she fought for a cause. While, she was a sculptor, mother, feminist, visualist, and a teacher. She was born into a world where women were deemed inferior, or just an object may I add not just in the art world. Savage came into a world where African Americans were not equal, and didn't have the same rights as others. Two fold; she had to fight because she was a woman, and she had to fight because she was an African American woman artist. "Among ourselves, we encouraged each other but beyond that, it was another story." (Guerrilla Girls pg. 76)In the picture Augusta Savage was sculpting, as photographed in 1935-1947 compilation of "Negro Art Exhibits, Workshops and Demonstrations."
While, the art world was already a struggle for a women to perform her art among her male counterparts, the race card made the struggle harder for black women. Savage was a fighter, and she wanted equality for not only her, but other African Americans as well. Savage became part of the Harlem Renaissance known as the "New Negro Movement." The Harlem Renaissance was not a movement solely for black artist, but for black people in general. Regardless, if you were an artist or a writer the movement was all for equality, and pushing forward towards the endeavors of African Americans. While, the movement lasted for some years its ideas planted seeds that has flourished among the African American race. The Harlem Renaissance harvest around the same time of the 19th Amendment. The 19th Amendment granted Women Suffrage for women like Savage, but the fight continued on. While, the 19th Amendment was suppose to stand for suffrage African American women remained at the bottom of the totem pole, well at least in some folks eyes.
The WPA (The Works Progress Administration) supported the progress of women art, but not all women. Augusta Savage in that moment became a suffragist and she lobbied to gain the same rights as other women who had access to the WPA. Savage brave attempts not only got the job done, but she later became an instructor for the WPA. How about those apples! Hard work did pay off for Savage in that aspect. Savage became an important figure in Harlem as she supported the Harlem Community to the fullest extent.
Augusta sculpture "Lift Every Voice and Sing" 1939. One of her best sculptors which depicts freedom.
Augusta believed in training younger African American artist. She supported the Harlem Community Art Center which shifted to a gallery called The Salon of Contemporary Negro Art. While, she faced a racial scandal involving the French government where she was denied a summer program outside of Paris she didn't give up the fight, and she continued on her journey. She help to start the Harlem Arts Guild and the Vanguard Club. Savage opened up a school named the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts. Although, she ran into brick walls Savage continue to find ways around the walls placed in front of her. All in all, to endure hardships the fight becomes tired after a while. "I attended Cooper Union, which was free and at the age of twenty-nine I was given a special stipend for living expenses. But my dream was to study in France. I heard about a summer program for women, so I applied, only to be rejected when white girls, much less qualified, were chosen." (Guerrilla Girls pg. 76)
Augusta was seven out of fourteen children. While, she became a leading figure among her counterparts she worked with prominent people in Harlem. She was for her people, and for equality all around the board. She touched base on racial identity, and she worked with bust. Savage started using red soil clay as a little girl, which is a driving force in her art. She uses a few mediums such as marble, clay, sand and soap. Savage has influenced many contemporary artist like Faith Ringgold, and Lorna Simpson. Simpson along with Ringgold both are African American artist who talks about race and society. While, all three ladies did art differently they relate in their story of activism and sexism.
Bibliography:
Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art and Society. London: Thames and Hudson 2002.
Guerrilla Girls. The Guerrilla Girls Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. New York: Penguin 1998.
"Augusta Savage." 2013 The Biography Channel Website, 2013.
"Augusta Savage." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Images From:
www.mutualart.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
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