Three Friends 1945

William H. Johnson made this painting, "Three Friends," with what looks like acrylic or maybe gouache; it's all about the matte surface and simplified shapes. You can really see the process, there's a directness to the application of the paint. I love the way he lays down these blocks of color, like the solid purple of the figure on the left. It butts right up against the brown of the face. The flatness reminds me of folk art, or maybe even a poster. And then, there's that pale pink shape in the middle, nestled between the figures – what is it? A shared garment, a symbolic space? It’s so ambiguous. Johnson's work reminds me a little of Jacob Lawrence, both artists used a similar style to depict scenes of Black life and culture. Ultimately, it's the mystery that grabs me. This painting is more about feeling than knowing, and that’s what makes it so powerful.