Wardell Milan discusses Black artists' role in documenting American history

Visual artist Wardell Milan discusses how Black artists use creativity to document history, challenge perceptions, and define their own identities. Appearing on NewsOne’s ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness’, Milan describes his multidisciplinary practice, which spans photography, drawing, painting, and collage.

Milan explores the tension between marginalization and freedom of expression, aiming to create spaces where marginalized individuals can exist without constraint. He emphasizes the power of art to preserve history and bring difficult past moments into focus, citing Norman Rockwell’s painting of Ruby Bridges as a significant historical reference. Milan also stresses the importance of artists acting as reflectors of contemporary life, much like the movements seen during the Harlem Renaissance.