Post Black Folk Art in America 1930-1980-2016 revisits the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 1982 exhibition Black Folk Art in America 1930-1980. On view during the height of the AIDS crisis, the exhibition featured artists affected and inspired to speak through their art about HIV/AIDS. Post Black Folk Art in America 1930-1980-2016 features artists such as Ronald Lockett, who created more than 350 works before dying from HIV/AIDS related pneumonia. It was his cousin, Thornton Dial (Royal Flag, 1997 to 1998) — also featured in the show – who encouraged Lockett to purse his artistic passions. The work The Arient Family Collection moldings of three clay skulls by James “Son Ford” Thomas, typically included teeth from local dentists in his work, but due to lack of knowledge about how HIV/AIDS spread, Thomas used castings of teeth instead. HIV/AIDS affected every person in the 1980’s and its effects are still felt today. The artists featured in both shows, were contemporaries and outsiders of art and society similar to those featured in the Art AIDS America Chicago show.
