Gold Face Type 1966

This is Gold Face Type, a print made in 1966 by the African American artist Emma Amos. The artwork shows a woman with a golden face, peering out at us from a composition formed of bold contrasting colours. Amos was part of a generation of black artists who were critical of the art establishment in the US. In 1960s New York, the predominantly white art world was perceived as discriminatory towards artists of colour. During this time, many black artists formed collectives to challenge the institutional biases of the gallery system and create greater visibility for their work. As a member of the Spiral Group, Amos participated in debates around the role of the black artist in the Civil Rights Movement. Gold Face Type and other artworks from this time reflect the artist's own identity and experiences as a black woman in America. To understand this work more fully, we can turn to historical resources like exhibition catalogues, artist's statements, and critical reviews. Examining the social and institutional context in which art is made can reveal its significance as a powerful form of cultural expression.