Clementine Hunter, Flowing River (detail), 1950, Oil on canvas, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. James Michael Fortino

In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting the work of Clementine Hunter, a self-taught, African American painter born in Louisiana in 1886. Hunter worked on Melrose Plantation near Natchitoches for most of her life as a labor and maid. She referred to her works as “memory paintings,” depicting her everyday life on the plantation. Her work uses bold colors, imagery, patterns and stacked perspectives, which all come together to make beautiful works of art like this one!

Come see more works by Clementine Hunter from our Permanent Collection on view now at the O!⁣