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African American Folk Art

Artists & Objects in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum defines its collection of American folk art as fine and decorative arts made by self-taught or minimally-trained artists and tradesmen. The museum’s particular collections range from the 1700s to the present. Folk art then and now may show an awareness of academic art, illustrate the tastes of popular culture, or indicate conservative folk roots.

Throughout the museum’s exhibitions there are a number of significant objects created by African American artists or that depict African Americans. Learn more about a selection of them by viewing these pieces and reading their labels in the exhibitions.

Figure Holding a Vessel
Artist unidentified
Possibly Fayetteville, New York, 1849-1865
Pine and paint
1961.701.2
Location: AARFAM’s Introductory exhibit
Sculpture – north wall of exhibit
Marion Anderson Carving
Elijah Pierce (1892-1984)
Columbus, Ohio, 1975-1976
Wood, paint, cardboard and glitter
1995.701.1
Location: We the People: Three Centuries of American Folk Portraits
Portrait – west end of exhibit
Elijah Mohammad
Attributed to Ulysses Davis (1913-1990)
Savannah, Georgia, ca.1970
Painted and stained mahogany
1992.701.1
Location: We the People: Three Centuries of American Folk Portraits
Bust – west end of exhibit
Five-Gallon Syrup Jug
Attributed to David Drake (active ca. 1834 – ca. 1864)
Edgefield, South Carolina, 1850-1860
Ash-glazed stoneware
1939-137
Location: Artistry & Ingenuity: American Stoneware
Large brown double-handled jug – near north wall
Dancer & Churn Whirligig
Artist unidentified
Wood
1979.700.1
Location: Sidewalks to Rooftops: Outdoor Folk Art
West wall of exhibit – lower right hand side
Pieced Quilt
Rita Mae Pettway (b. 1941)
Gee’s Bend, Wilcox Co, Alabama, 1990
Cotton, polyester
2008.609.10
Location: Material Witnesses: Quilts and their Makers
Northwest corner of exhibit
Pieced Quilt
Alberta Miller (d. 1999)
Dallas Co., Alabama, 1974
Cotton, wool & synthetics
2003.609.1
Location: Material Witnesses: Quilts and their Makers
Northwest corner of exhibit
Folk Musical Instruments
Section: “Banjos” (and related objects)
Section: “Dance” (and related objects)
Location: Cross Rhythms: Folk Musical Instruments
South and west walls exhibit
The Old Plantation
Attributed to John Rose (ca. 1752/1753–1820)
Beaufort Co., South Carolina, 1785-1790
Watercolor on laid paper
1935.301.3
Location: The Old Plantation: The Artist Revealed
“Miss Breme Jones”
Attributed to John Rose (ca.1752/1753–1820)
Beaufort Co., South Carolina, 1785-1787
Watercolor & ink on wove paper
2008.300.1
Location: The Old Plantation: The Artist Revealed

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