An Artistic Explosion
This is a very nice picture to represent the musical expression during the Harlem Renaissance. It has many layers, each with a meaning of its own.
        In the first layer we can see that there are shadowy shapes of men, one with a wind instrument. There are green ribbon-like tendrils going across, implying that they are coming out of the instrument. This represents the power of the music that was played during the Harlem Renaissance.
The figures appear to be within trees, with what looks like the statue of liberty outside the trees in the distance. It represents the way that the musical expression of the young black people in the 20’s stemmed from their roots and ancestors in Africa. Though they are in America they remain connected to their heritage.
    There is a definite theme of Negro heritage and history in this painting. There is also a sense of pride, as the man in the middle is standing up tall playing his music for all to hear. I like this painting, the colors are very organic and the sense of layers is very thought provoking.