If you’ve outgrown that Matisse print or had the same map of Paris since college, now’s as good a time as any to refresh your art. To help you zhuzh up your walls, we perused the offerings of 31 Black illustrators, painters, and photographers to find prints and original artworks you can buy. (If your walls are, well, covered, we should note that any of these would make a great gift for someone else.) Some of the things below come recommended by colleagues in New York Magazine’s art and photography departments; some come from makers featured on our growing list of Black-owned businesses to shop at; and others come from scrolling through curatorial Instagram accounts like Muse Origins and It’s Nice That, as well as through our own feeds. While what’s here is just a toe dip into the world of Black-made wall art, we’ll continue to keep our eye out for more eye-catching pieces and update this article when we find them.
Kenesha Sneed is a multidisciplinary artist who makes art, ceramics, and textiles under the name Tactile Matter. We think this calming, meditative design would add a soothing element to pretty much any room, although it may be especially functional hung within eyeshot of wherever you answer emails. The price shown is for an unframed 8x10 print (the smallest size available), but you can get larger versions and choose to have them framed with UV-shielding plexiglass, archival acid-free foam-core backing, wall bumpers, and hanging hardware.
Former New York Magazine photo editor and digital illustrator Lyne Lucien sells a handful of her vibrant prints on Etsy. This absolutely delightful collage (which originally appeared on Vulture) depicts several of the most iconic and unhinged moments from Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise. Each one of the limited-edition prints comes signed.
Vox Media e-commerce coordinator Victoria Gaines tipped us off to the work of Adrian Brandon, who has been featured in Variety, Fast Company, and MSNBC. Brandon sells his art on greeting cards and as prints like this one from his “Brooklyn Windows” series, which depicts scenes from windows and fire escapes in monochrome. “His work is really beautiful and celebrates Black beauty and love,” says Gaines.
Ashleigh Corrin is a children’s-book illustrator who won the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award with her first book, Layla’s Happiness. Though Corrin often depicts joyful moments in childhood, it doesn’t need to be confined to a nursery. Corrin’s work is thoughtful, and her bold color choices will brighten any space. She offers her framed prints in miniature sizes (4x4 inches and 3x4 inches), which is convenient if your walls are already covered with art or if you only have a small area to work with.
Sabrena Khadija is a visual artist who specializes in digital illustrations and screen and risograph printing (the latter, to the unfamiliar, is a stencil-and-ink method of duplicating images). Any of the 12 affordable prints from her “Zodiac” series, like this Gemini one, would make for a great gift or fun way to zhuzh up a smaller space like a bathroom or reading nook. If you’re not into astrology, Khadija has plenty of other prints available at her Society6 shop.
Illustrator Leica Lucien, a Strategist contributor (and Lyne Lucien’s sister), makes a range of inclusive stickers and prints. If you want to hang a little slice of Brooklyn in your home, we love this print that recasts the borough’s streetscape in more vibrant colors.
Dallas-based photographer and set designer Afritina Coker “specializes in art, fashion, and commercial portraiture,” according to her website. This print from her “Handle W/ Care” series feels equal parts art and fashion and comes in two sizes: a smaller 11x14 inch (for $90) and a larger 16x20 inch (for $120).
Visual artist Sarah Huny Young describes their work as “primarily documenting and exalting Black womanhood and queer communities through portraiture and video.” Inspired by Marie Antoinette, this portrait features models Remy Black, Jess A. Williams, and Camille West. It’s sold in two sizes, a smaller 8x10 inch (for $40) and a larger 11x14 inch (for $50), and is printed on premium pearl luster paper.
Los Angeles–based artist Umar Rashid’s work, which has been shown at the Brooklyn Museum, focuses on reclaiming and reimagining colonial narratives. This print, from an edition of 30, is available in two sizes and with one of three frame colors.
Artist Shantell Martin is an adjunct professor at NYU who has had solo shows at the 92Y gallery, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and MoCADA. She has worked with brands like Nike and Tiffany & Co. and cool people like Kendrick Lamar and interior designer Kelly Wearstler. This original print features her signature linework.
This print by digital collage artist Arya Haliba is one of several limited-edition works being sold as part of a collaboration between Galerie Number 8 and Nataal, a creative studio dedicated to African fashion, visual arts, music, and culture. Whether or not the image is your style, we suggest checking out the rest of the collaboration, which features unique T-shirts and sweatshirts in addition to lots more prints.
Editor’s note: Galerie Number 8 lists prices in euros, so the price shown is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.
Arielle Bobb-Willis, who has shot for L’uomo Vogue and The New York Times Magazine, makes dreamy pictures that often blend the line between fashion and fine-art photography. Via Artsy, she is currently selling a limited run of prints of some of her most popular images, but you have to contact the retailer to get pricing.
Strategist writer (and resident illustrator) Liza Corsillo tipped us off to the work of New York City–based illustrator Daniel Fishel. It can be found on tote bags, apparel, stickers, face masks, and, of course, prints — like this lighthearted design that is just asking to be hung on a blank wall in a kitchen.
Jaimie Milner is a photographer whose work has been featured in publications like Architectural Digest, the Zoe Report, L.A. Times, and Coveteur. This print is from her “Gifted” series, which focuses on capturing men in moments of vulnerability.
In addition to her woven pieces, textile artist Avery Williamson — whom former Strategist writer Kayla Levy interviewed for our story about what you need to get into weaving — sells handmade earrings and original paintings on Etsy. This one is currently on sale.
This poster made an appearance in our roundup of living-room décor from Black-owned businesses, where we noted it is “a modern take on a traditional barbershop poster” that features an African proverb. It’s from Don’t Sleep Interiors, an online shop started by designer Kori Miller that also sells mugs and pillows.
Artist Justina Blakeney, founder of Jungalow — which sells housewares we’ve featured in roundups of living-room décor, affordable gifts, and ceramics — makes and sells lots of colorful prints too. This illustration of a nude lounging on a beach is a great pick for those who are never ready to let go of summer.
An alternative way to add some (literal and figurative) greenery to a room would be with this print by Simone Martin-Newberry, which shows several succulents and other houseplants.
When Lucien isn’t working on her own illustrations, she curates Curator’s Art Galore on Instagram. It’s dedicated to showcasing artists of color like Uzo Njoku’s, who features her works on everything from coloring pages to lighters and mugs. This print comes in four sizes, and should you want to spring for a frame, there are eight options to choose from.
Blacksneakers is a North Carolina–based illustrator and painter whose work has been featured in the Cut and comes suggested by New York Magazine’s art director and visuals lead, Stevie Remsberg. Blacksneakers’ art — which typically features figures in vibrant colors — is available to buy on her site in the form of prints, original paintings, and even tattoo designs.
If you want something that isn’t a regular print, Cynthia Gordy Giwa, co-creator of the digital publication Black-Owned Brooklyn, told us that she has one of these pennants from textile artist Rochelle Negron hanging in her living room. Gordy Giwa’s exact style is sold out, but this one, featuring an inspiring (but not cheesy) quote from Grace Jones’s memoir, strikes a similar tone.
Even if it doesn’t take up too much real estate, Amina Mucciolo’s rainbow-colored artwork is a surefire way to brighten up any room. Really, who wouldn’t want to start their day with a glance at this psychedelic print featuring an optimistic little mushroom?
While it’s not exactly Cubist, there is something about the geometry at work in this print by multidisciplinary artist Jaleel Campbell that makes its already funky scene even funkier. From Campbell’s latest series focusing on the Black Arts Movement in the late ’60s and ’70s, the print also comes framed, making its price seem even more affordable.
Jade Purple Brown describes herself as a “color-obsessed artist creating new, dynamic worlds of optimism and empowerment.” This print would add a vibrant touch to any wall.
For the sneakerhead, here’s a highbrow homage to Nike. Its creator, Jasmine Durhal, is a professional photographer who has worked with that brand along with the Lip Bar, Adidas, and Essence. In addition to selling her prints, Durhal makes photography-lesson videos for beginners that she shares on her YouTube channel.
This cheery poster, which serves as a visual reminder to trust your instincts, would make a great addition to a home office. It comes from Brooklyn-based artist Lo Harris, who says she “creates work that empowers women through celebrations of self-love, self-compassion, and sisterhood.” Harris sells her work through Society6, which makes prints to order to cut down on waste.
Aurélia Durand illustrated the cover and images for This Book Is Anti-Racist (and has worked with other brands including The New Yorker, VICE, and Instagram, to name three). This print exemplifies her use of vibrant colors to create works Durand describes as “a vivid celebration of diversity” that “represent Afro-descendants as joyful, proud, and empowered.”
We love these slightly sassy oranges from Kendra Dandy, who sells her made-to-order works on Society6. In addition to offering her work in the form of prints, Dandy’s creations can be purchased on phone cases, pillows, tote bags, mugs, and masks.
According to her website, folk artist Akujixxv explores the “the mundane and spiritual” in her work. This print depicts a group of friends floating down a Pepto Bismol–pink river, and the palette is just really soothing.
If you want to invest in an original piece instead of a print, Remsberg suggests splurging on one of Heather Polk’s striking (and kind of Irving Penn–esque) floral collages. To offset the price, the artist includes a framing mat with purchase (but you’ll have to buy a frame and board separately).
Former New York Magazine associate art director Aaron Garza directed us to the work of artist Rachelle Baker, whose illustrations you may recognize from browsing covers at your local bookstore. We’re particularly drawn to the bold contrast of this print’s palette.
New York Magazine photo editor Graylen Gatewood told us about this print by artist Laylah Ali, who has had solo shows at the Museum of Modern Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and who was included in the 2003 Venice Biennale and the 2004 Whitney Biennial. There are only 100 editions, and each comes signed and numbered.
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