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Painting featured in North Carolina Museum of History

Additional Artworks

From Gray Art Collection

  1. A/P Sharecropper by Elizabeth Catlett, Image 1.

    Elizabeth Catlett

    A/P Sharecropper, 1970

    40 x 32 in (101.6 x 81.28 cm)

  2. Streets of Paris by Lois Mailou Jones, Image 2.

    Lois Mailou Jones

    Streets of Paris, 1966

    Oil On Canvas

    29 x 21.5 in (73.66 x 54.61 cm)

  3. Street Scene (Washington, DC) by David Clyde Driskell, Image 3.

    David Clyde Driskell

    Street Scene (Washington, DC), 1955

    Oil on Canvas

    12 x 26 in (30.48 x 66.04 cm)

  4. African American Oil Painting Old Realism 1942 by Violette Rice, Image 1.

    Violette Rice

    African American Oil Painting Old Realism 1942, 1942

    Oil on Canvas

    38 x 47 in (96.52 x 119.38 cm)

  5. “Smiling For A Better Future-Mandela by Munyaradzi Fombe, Image 1.

    Munyaradzi Fombe

    “Smiling For A Better Future-Mandela

    Green Opal Sculpture

    26 x 15 x 4 in (66.04 x 38.1 x 10.16 cm)

  6. Wonder by Thomas Williams, Image 1.

    Thomas Williams

    Wonder

    Oil on Birch

    36 x 48 in (91.44 x 121.92 cm)

  7. “Ali.” by Jose Fernandes, Image 1.

    Jose Fernandes

    “Ali.”

    Photography and Mixed Media

  8. Woman by Jay McKay, Image 1.

    Jay McKay

    Woman

    acrylic and oil on canvas

    24 x 36 in (60.96 x 91.44 cm)

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About the artist

Ernie Barnes

Ernest “Ernie” Eugene Barnes, Jr. (July 15, 1938 – April 27, 2009) was an African-American painter, well known for his unique style of elongation and movement. He was also a professional football player, actor and author. Ernie Barnes' involvement with art began at an early age, like most gifted adult artists. However, when he reached high school his creative endeavors were temporarily detoured in his determination to become a successful athlete. In part this was a response to the demands of peer pressure which can be so strong at that age. He graduated from his high school a hero and star football player, and with 26 full athletic scholarships to choose from. He chose North Carolina Central University and a major in art. After college he continued in an illustrious professional athletic career, but never let his love for football overshadow his love for art. Football gave him an enormous satisfaction of achievement, of being able to do something extremely difficult, and do it well. Art, however, allowed him the privilege to interpret for the public his concepts of the relationship between art and life.
Image of artist