Tongues on Fire: the Black Panthers remembered
Having been lucky enough to hear Emory Douglas speak about his role as Minister of Culture for the revolutionary Black Panther Party last year, it’s not difficult to see how he inspired a generation through his work and art.
His ‘militant-chic’ graphic art which featured on the covers of the Black Panther Newspaper and as posters reflected the tumultuous period between the late 60s until the party was disbanded in the 1980s. Over the past few years, Emory’s work has been exhibited in a number of galleries including Museum of Modern Art in Los Angeles and the 2008 Biennale of Sydney and has appeared in numerous publications including Art in America and PRINT Magazine.
On September 11, a unique ‘multi-artform’ event, Tongues on Fire, inspired by the Black Panthers and Douglas will be coming to London’s Barbican Centre. Featuring members of The Roots, Living Colour and the Last Poets and directed by legendary tenor saxophonist David Murray, the event is sure to be a memorable experience.
Image: Revolution in Our Lifetime. Credit: Emory Douglas. Detail of poster from The Black
Panther, November 8, 1969, Detail, Offset lithograph, 20-1/4 x 14″, Collection of Alden
and Mary Kimbrough, Los Angeles, © Emory Douglas
via artthreat.net