Kerry James Marshall

Watch as Kerry James Marshall speaks about the ways his paintings have centered Black people throughout his career. In this restored archival interview from 2008, the artist reveals the messages behind his artworks and their relationship to history. Marshall builds on the language of art history, recognizing unsung heroes of America’s past, while expanding the discourse around representation in America’s future. 

About This Channel:

Wondering who makes art? Curious about the how...and the WHY?

Featuring insights directly from the artists, SFMOMA Shorts takes the public inside the studios, and minds, of a fascinating and diverse range of creators. With a collection that spans architecture, design, media arts, painting, sculpture, and photography, the museum's YouTube channel is a go-to destination for videos about modern and contemporary art. New to SFMOMA Shorts? Start with the "Best of SFMOMA Shorts" playlist. Or, take a trip inside artist studios with “Artist Cribs” and discover the spaces and places where art is born. You can also find interviews about art on view at the museum in the "Now on View" playlist.

About SFMOMA:

Founded in 1935 under the direction of Grace McCann Morley, SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast dedicated to modern and contemporary art. While SFMOMA has yet to adopt an institution-wide land acknowledgment, we encourage audiences to view this film commissioned for our platform Open Space: http://sfmoma.me/3iKWF4c. Updates on the museum’s ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be found here: http://sfmoma.me/3a46wzO.

In support of our commitment to institutional accountability, SFMOMA’s social media team will routinely moderate and respond to public comments to ensure they remain spaces of lively discourse and art appreciation from many voices.