Benny Andrews

Benny Andrews (1930-2006)

Influenced by folk art, Andrews was an expressionist painter and collage artist whose work addressed political and social injustice. After Air Force service in Korea, Andrews studied at SAIC (BFA, 1958). Upon graduation he moved to NYC and taught at Queens College, CUNY (1968-1997). As co-founder of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (1969) and director of visual arts for the NEA (1982-84), Andrews promoted African American art in museums and arts education in government institutions.

Important Source Material:

Bladon, Patricia P. Folk: The Art of Benny and George Andrews. Memphis: Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1990.

Gruber, J. Richard. American Icons: From Madison to Manhattan, The Art of Benny Andrews, 1948-1997. Augusta, GA: Morris Museum of Art, 1997.

NHS