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Collecting African American Art: |
Works on Paper and Canvas |
By Halima Taja with forwards by Deirdre Bibby and Samella Lewis. Introduction by Ntozake Shange. |
| Crown Publishers, New York, 1999, 288 pages, $50 hardcover. |
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| Halima Taha dispels common misconceptions about collecting art while exposing readers to the talent of American artists of African descent. Intended for both beginners and the more experienced who wish to become more informed about all aspects of collecting and maintaining works of art, this is a practical guide and a beautiful introduction to the diversity of African American art.
"This book emerged from an awareness that what had once been an arcane topic of discussion - African American artists as the subject of critical discourse among art historians, critics, collectors, curators, auction houses, and dealers - has become, in recent years, cause celebre, generating excitement, controversy, and optimism," writes Taha. "As we approach the millennium, an expanding awareness of African American history and culture, increasing prosperity, and an integrated community of artists, arts professionals, entrepreneurs, and patrons of the arts have fueled the burgeoning interest in African American art." With 150 full-color and 40 black-and-white illustrations, Collecting African Art showcases many works of art and, combined with Taha's text, includes information on everything from galleries, auctions, and dealers to framing, insurance, and taxes.
In the first five chapters, Taha discusses basic training and pricing information and offers tips on how to display and take care of a collection. She also provides a brief history of African American art from the arrival of the first Africans in Jamestown to the present, spanning such influential movements as the Harlem Renaissance. The final two chapters are devoted exclusively to prints and photography, media that the author suggests are good investments for those looking for valuable but less expensive art. The book contains forewords by Deirdre Bibby, curator and museum administrator, and Samella Lewis, an art historian, professor, and founder of the International Review of African American Art, along with an introduction by Ntozake Shange.
Halima Taha has been an art adviser, art administrator, and educator since 1984. She has served as a consultant and teacher with various arts and arts-in-education organizations, and she lectures around the country.
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