Norman Lewis (1909 - 1979)

Norman Lewis

Norman Lewis was an American artist of the mid-twentieth century. He is known as the only dark-skinned representative of the first wave of abstract expressionism in the United States, born and living most of his life in the "black" New York neighborhood of Harlem.

Norman Lewis early in his career worked in the domestic genre in the style of social realism. In his paintings he depicted everyday Harlem scenes. Later the artist switched to abstract works, focusing more on aesthetics rather than content.