“Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice” Introduction

“Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice” explores William H. Johnson’s remarkable “Fighters for Freedom” series, which he painted in the mid-1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. On view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 8- September 8, 2024, the exhibition brings paintings from the series together as a group for the first time since 1946.
Watch as Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, discusses the importance of Johnson’s Fighters, whose contributions to the nation’s story and character provide a powerful counter narrative to the negative stereotypes of African Americans. Virginia Mecklenburg, senior curator at SAAM specializing in twentieth-century American art, goes deeper into the works, which each tell a complete story of sacrifice, struggle, and triumph-stories that are still vital today. In “Fighters for Freedom” Johnson reminds us that individual achievement and commitment to social justice are at the heart of the American story. americanart.si...

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Excellent video of this exhibition!