Jacob Lawrence and the Obama Effect

As I have mentioned, this blog exists to explore the significance of art in terms of artist and perspective collector. With that being said, I would venture to say no African American artist has benefited more from the Obama presidency then Jacob Lawrence. Although world renowned and respected prior to anyone ever hearing the name Barrack Obama, it wasn't until a 2007 purchase by the White House of a 1947 painting entitled "Builders" did his collection status elevate to elite. Prior to the sale, the largest auction bid for a Lawrence painting was around the mid to high 800 thousand range, according to a source at Christie's auction house. The White House Acquisition Trust paid a cool $2.5MM for the piece, drastically overpricing the work and dramatically shifting the price of ownership of a Jacob Lawrence painting. So I would venture to say becoming an elite artist is not only about what is said about your work, but who appreciates your work. The painting now sits in the White House Green Room.

If you don't know anything about Lawrence's style and mission statement, the work is meant to be a testament to the unity and power of African Americans building, not necessarily a building or structure, but a cultural presence or identity. It is meant to be a celebration of collaboration and cooperation amongst a culture so diversified sharing a common goal- the task at hand of building. The depictions of abstract characters across a plain identify with a "I am every man" attitude of the scene, and the satisfaction and contempt of accomplishment through compromise of one's own self serving reservations and beliefs.

My only problem with this is that the Trust bought this piece in 2007, well before Obama ascended to the presidency. So, I am inclined to ask myself what a president like George W. Bush and the Historical Association was thinking when they signed off on the purchase? I find it odd two years removed from hurricane Katrina and the media frenzy created by African Americans that this work found it's place in the most significant house in America, at a highly exaggerated and publicized price of 300% over norm for a Lawrence painting. Interesting indeed.

In any event, the Obamas have petitioned to have more Lawrence works hanging in the White House walls..... and you can believe that now the word is out that the artist is an "American Icon", and the auction houses at Christie's and Sotherby's will address their opening bids accordingly.