Dancer Pearl Primus kneels down with arms outstretched and palms facing outward. She is dressed in black and sits in front of a blank wall and floor. Her shadow projects against the wall.
Context
Raised in Southern California, Barbara Morgan began her career as a photographer after moving to New York City in 1930. Her first book (which she is still best known for) is titled ‘Martha Graham: Sixteen Dances in Photographs’, a selection of photos taken of dancers from Martha Graham's dance company. Here, we see Pearl Primus performing her dance that was likely inspired by the Langston Hughes poem ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers.’ Primus was known to use dance as a form of art beyond "art for art's sake." She danced to convey messages and morals, and focused heavily on the specific promotion of African dance. You can read her statement here: https://www.oberlinlibstaff.com/acceleratedmotion/primary_sources/texts/americanidentities/my_statement.pdf
Acquisition
Accession
5000.98
Source or Donor
Lawrence Walner
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Collection of DePaul University, Gift of Lawrence Walner
Made/Created
Artist
Morgan, Barbara
Date made
1944
Ethnography
Notes
North America, United States
American
North America
United States
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Inscription
Location
B
Transcription
Barbara Morgan - 1944, Pearl Primus - Speak to Me of Rivers
