“I began to see art not primarily as an individual expression of talent, but as a responsibility, to reflect the spirit and style of the Negro people. It became an awesome responsibility to me.“
- Name: John T. Biggers
- Born: April 13, 1924
- Died: January 25, 2001 (Aged 76)
- From: Gastonia, North Carolina
- Occupation: Artist
- Works:“Dying Soldier” (1942), “Starry Crown”, “Family Arc”
- Awards: Metropolitan Arts Foundation Achievement Award (1988), Texas Artist of the Year (1988)
- Fun Fact: Biggers found his love for art when he took an art class with Viktor Lowenfeld, a Jewish refugee who in 1939 fled from Nazi persecution in Austria before World War II.
John Biggers was an African-American muralist who came to prominence after the Harlem Renaissance and toward the end of World War II. Biggers has worked on creating works critical of racial and economic injustice.
Handout
To download the Handout:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…
- Write a description on the line and decorate.
- Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
- Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
- Check out more resources and ways to celebrate MLK can be found on these links as well as our official Day of Service opportunity to volunteer.
This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.