Margo Humphrey facts for kids

Margo Humphrey, born on June 25, 1942, is a talented American artist. She is known for her amazing printmaking, which is a way of making art by printing images. She also illustrates books and teaches art. Margo Humphrey has traveled and taught art in many places around the world. These include countries in Africa, South America, and Europe. Her artwork is famous for its bright colors and lively style. It is seen as very important in modern printmaking.

Margo Humphrey's Journey as an Artist

Margo Humphrey was born in Oakland, California. She went to school there and graduated from Oakland High School in 1960. She studied art in high school. Later, she earned a special art degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts.

She then went to Stanford University for her master's degree in printmaking. She finished with honors in 1974. Margo Humphrey made history at Stanford. She was the first Black woman to graduate from their art department.

Teaching Art Around the World

Margo Humphrey started teaching art in 1973. She has taught at many universities in the United States. These include the University of California Santa Cruz and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

She has also taught art in other countries. She shared her knowledge in places like Fiji, Nigeria, Kampala, Uganda, and Harare, Zimbabwe. Currently, she leads the printmaking department at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Working with Printmaking Experts

Margo Humphrey has worked with important printmaking studios. These include the Rutgers Center for Innovative Print and Paper. She also worked with the Bob Blackburn Printmaking Workshop.

She was one of the first African-American women artists to be known for her lithographic works. Lithography is a special type of printmaking. She was also the first Black woman to have her prints published by Tamarind in 1974.

Margo Humphrey also wrote a children's book. It is called The River that gave gifts and was published in 1987.

Margo Humphrey's Artistic Style

Margo Humphrey uses many different art methods. She is especially good at lithography. This is a printing method where images are drawn on a stone or metal plate. She uses unique ways to layer colors in her lithographs. She likes how fluid and free lithography can be.

Colors, Symbols, and Stories

Her art style is called "expressionist." This means she uses bright colors and symbols. She creates scenes from her own life. She also adds mystical, dream-like images.

Margo Humphrey uses everyday objects in her art. These objects become symbols. They often represent Black culture and her experiences as an African American woman. Her art explores themes like religion, race, and gender.

She often adds humor to her art. This is inspired by another artist named Robert Colescott. Margo Humphrey's vivid colors and symbols in her story-telling art are meant to make viewers remember things and feel emotions.

Famous Artwork: The Last Bar-B-Que

One of her most famous works is The Last Bar-B-Que. This artwork is a colorful and modern version of the famous painting The Last Supper. Margo Humphrey spent three years studying how different artists painted The Last Supper. The Last Bar-B-Que is now seen as a very important image in American art.

Exhibitions of Her Work

Margo Humphrey had her first solo art show in 1965. Since then, her art has been shown all over the world. Her works are in major museums.

You can find her art in places like the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is also at The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.. Other places include the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In 1996, she was invited to be part of a special printmaking survey. This survey was at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In 2011, the Hampton University Museum held a large show of her work. It was called Her Story: Margo Humphrey Lithographs and Works on Paper. This show looked back at 45 years of her art.

Awards and Special Honors

Margo Humphrey has received many awards for her amazing art. Some of her honors include:

• The James D. Pheland Award from the World Print Council
• National Endowment of the Arts Fellowships in 1988
• Ford Foundation Fellowship in 1981
• Tiffany Fellowships in 1988
• Teaching Fellowships from the United States Information Agency Arts America Program