“Without the vision of women artists and artists of color,” declared a 1989 poster by the activist art group The Guerilla Girls, “you’re seeing less than half the picture.”

During February and March-Black History Month and Women’s History Month-we highlight works by nationally recognized Black and women artists in MMA’s collection, some of which have not been on view in over ten years. Many museum collections, including ours, do not proportionately represent these marginalized groups, though measures are being made to correct these gaps in our acquisition practices.

In these featured works, Southern-born painters Mose Tolliver, Marie Hull, and Myra Hamilton Green all drew inspiration from their roots and surroundings, garnering widespread attention for their folk art and abstract practices. Carol Wax’s mezzotint, David Driskell’s lithograph, and Cindy Sherman’s photograph exemplify the precision and dedication to craft for which each artist is known. Influenced by Josef Albers and Black Mountain College, Cora Kelley Ward, Edda Renouf, and Gwen Knight were abstract artists who experimented with principles of collage through layers and color blocking. John Wilson and Elizabeth Catlett were both known for making social commentary on American issues in their art, though this work by Catlett takes a softer approach in showing a tender scene between a father and son. Similarly, Henry Anderson Clay spent decades documenting everyday life for Black Mississippians, as seen in this photograph of a joyous social.

As you look at these works, consider what would be missing from American art without these artists.