Dancer 

Ernie Barnes created 'Dancer' as an oil painting depicting a dancer during his career as a celebrated artist known for his dynamic, figurative works. Barnes emerged during the Black Arts Movement, emphasizing African American expression. Here, the muscular figure of the Black dancer challenges traditional, often Eurocentric, portrayals of dance and beauty. The dancer's body, rendered with elongated features, embodies strength and grace, reclaiming and celebrating the Black body. The intimate pose, with the dancer resting a hand on his hip, provides a moment of vulnerability and self-possession. Barnes once said, "I try to capture that spiritual feeling...I paint what I know." Barnes’ work invites viewers to reconsider whose bodies are celebrated and how, resonating with discussions about representation, identity, and empowerment. The painting is both a personal reflection and a broader commentary on cultural representation.