Witness 1968

Benny Andrews' 1968 painting, "Witness," depicts a woman standing in front of a window, with a somber expression and a hint of melancholy. The stark simplicity of the composition emphasizes the figure, whose presence is both powerful and vulnerable. Andrews' use of bold, flat colors and simplified forms contribute to the artwork's raw and expressive quality. The painting's title suggests a sense of observation and perhaps even a reflection on the viewer's own experiences. "Witness," a poignant example of social realism, reflects on the lives and experiences of marginalized communities during a turbulent period in American history.