Charles Alston - Teacher, Family and Life
Charles Alston's Personal Details
Charles Henry Alston was a reputed African American painter, sculptor, and an illustrator born in the early 20th century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | November 28, 1907 |
| Died on | April 27, 1977 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Artists & Painters, Artists, Sculptors, Muralist, Teacher |
| City/State | New Yorkers |
| Spouses | Dr. Myra Adele Logan |
| Siblings | Charles, Rousmaniere, Wendell |
| Childrens | Doris LaVerne Alston |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Charlotte |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Primus Priss Alston |
| Mother | Anna Elizabeth Miller Alston |
| Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Born in | Charlotte |
| Famous as | Painter, Sculptor, Artist, Muralist, Teacher |
| Died at Age | 69 |
// Famous Muralist
Charles Alston's photo
Who is Charles Alston?
Charles Henry Alston was a reputed African American painter, sculptor, and an illustrator born in the early 20th century. He is best known for the sculpture of Martin Luther King he created in the 1970s which was put up at the White house in 1990. The bust is known for being the first sculpture by an African American to be displayed there. Alston was also deeply influenced by the civil rights movement of the 20th century. He created many works just in black and white, so that racial unity could be expressed through his works. He also helped bridging the gap between the African artists and the other artists of America. Several Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera and José Clementa Orozco, all of whom used murals as a tool for social activism, heavily inspired Alston. He is also credited for enriching the cultural life of Harlem, the city where he worked and lived. Alston is remembered for experimenting with different kinds of styles. Firstly he experimented with negative forms and organic space; after that, he focused on creating modernist styled paintings. He also focused on mural work, and created artwork for several places like the Harlem Hospital and Golden State American Museum of Natural History.
// Famous Teacher
Michael Porter
Michael Porter is an economist, researcher, author, advisor, speaker and teacher. This biography profiles his childhood, career, academic contribution, works, life, achievements and timeline.
Linda Lee Cadwell
Linda Lee Cadwell is the widow of the famous martial arts master and action superstar Bruce Lee. This biography profiles her childhood, family, achievements and other facts.
Jaime Escalante
Jaime Escalante was a celebrated Bolivian teacher and one of the most famous educators in America during 1980s and 1990s. This biography of Jaime Escalante provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
Charles Henry Alston was born in North Carolina, US, to Reverend Primus Priss Alston and Anna Elizabeth Miller Alston, on November 28, 1907. He was the youngest of five children, two of whom died during infancy. His father himself was born into slavery, and it was only after many hardships that he managed to become a Minister as well as the Founder of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
After the death of his father, his mother married Harry Bearden. Through the marriage, the renowned American artist, Romare Bearden became Charles’ cousin. Bearden was also known for his struggle for civil rights. The young Alston was influenced a lot by him.
Their family moved to New York, during the Great Migration in 1915, with around six million other African Americans. Though initially the family survived quite well, later they would suffer a lot during the Great Depression, which would begin in August 1929.
Charles Alston studied at DeWitt Clinton High School, where his artistic talents were recognized. He became the art editor of the school magazine and also joined the Arista-National Honor Society, and attended the National Academy of Art.
He became a member of the Harlem community at a young age. Later, he received a scholarship from the University of Yale to attend the Yale School of Fine Arts, but he declined it and went to Columbia to pursue his higher education. There, he worked for the ‘Columbia Daily Spectator’, the weekly student newspaper of the Columbia University. He also drew cartoons for ‘Jester’, which was the school magazine.
Following his graduation in 1929, he studied at the Teachers College, where he obtained his Master's in 1931.
Career
Charles Alston worked for several journals and magazines such as ‘Fortune’ and ‘The New Yorker’ after he finished his studies. After that, he was stationed at the Army, at Fort Huachuca, a United States Army Installation, for around a year in 1942-43. He also worked for several years as an artist in the Office of War Information and Public Relations.
It was in the 1950s that he started creating abstract paintings. He also continued to drawing figures, occasionally shifting between the two modes. Later, he decided to leave commercial work, so that he could focus on his own work instead. His first painting was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest art museum of the US, in 1950. Three years, later, he held his first solo exhibition at the John Heller Gallery.
In 1956, he was appointed as an instructor at the Museum of Modern Art, becoming the first African American to be appointed at this post. Here he taught for a year after which he went to Belgium.
Few years later, in 1963, along with other renowned artists like Romare Bearden, Normal Lewis, and Hale Woodruff, he co-founded the Spiral group, which became the first collective of African American artists in the US. In 1973, he became a full Professor at the City College of New York.
Major Works
The bronze sculpture of Martin Luther King, created by Charles Alston, which was put up at the White House in 1990, is regarded as his best and most well-known work. Alston was commissioned for it by the Community Church of New York for $5000 in 1970. This sculpture was also the first piece of art by an African American to be displayed at the White House.
He is known for various other works like ‘Portrait of a Man’ in which he depicts a detailed and realistic style with pastels and charcoals. He also created ‘The Girl in a Red Dress’, and ‘The Blue Shirt’ in which he portrayed young individuals in his city Harlem using new innovative techniques.
He created other sculptures such as ‘Head of a Woman’ in 1957 in which he takes a modern approach to sculpture as facial features in this art were suggested instead of fully formulated.
Charles Alston also created the famous ‘Magic in Medicine’ and ‘Modern Medicine’ murals, artworks which are situated opposite each other, and located in the Harlem hospital. These two pieces of work are considered as one, and it shows the differences between modern medicine and ancient healing practices. However, it is still debated what precisely Alston was trying to convey through this artwork.
In 1960, he created some religious artworks which included the ‘Christ Head’, which had an angular portrait of Jesus Christ.
Awards & Achievements
In 1958 Charles Alston was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He was awarded the first Distinguished Alumni Award from Teachers College in 1975.
He was given a presidential appointment by the then US President Lyndon Johnson, to the National Council of Culture and Arts. He was appointed by the Mayor of New York city, John Lindsay, to the New York City Art Commission as well.
He was the first African American to become an instructor at the Museum of Modern Art, as well the first African American, whose artwork was put up for display at the White House.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1944, Charles Alston married Myra Adele Logan, an intern at the Harlem Hospital, whom he met while he was working on the murals.
His wife passed away in January 1977. Charles died the same year, of cancer on April 27, 1977.
After his demise, the Arts Students league created a 21-year merit student scholarship to honor Alston for the years of service.
// Famous Sculptors
Yvonne McGuinness
Yvonne McGuinness is an Irish multimedia artist. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He is considered to be one of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance period. Know more about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline, in this brief biography
H. R. Giger
The famous designer of science fiction movie ‘Alien’, H. R. Giger is known for his surrealist and pioneering set-designs, sculptures and paintings. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on.
Charles Alston biography timelines
- // 28th Nov 1907Charles Henry Alston was born in North Carolina, US, to Reverend Primus Priss Alston and Anna Elizabeth Miller Alston, on November 28, 1907. He was the youngest of five children, two of whom died during infancy. His father himself was born into slavery, and it was only after many hardships that he managed to become a Minister as well as the Founder of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
- // 1915 To Aug 1929Their family moved to New York, during the Great Migration in 1915, with around six million other African Americans. Though initially the family survived quite well, later they would suffer a lot during the Great Depression, which would begin in August 1929.
- // 1929 To 1931Following his graduation in 1929, he studied at the Teachers College, where he obtained his Master's in 1931.
- // 1942 To 1943Charles Alston worked for several journals and magazines such as ‘Fortune’ and ‘The New Yorker’ after he finished his studies. After that, he was stationed at the Army, at Fort Huachuca, a United States Army Installation, for around a year in 1942-43. He also worked for several years as an artist in the Office of War Information and Public Relations.
- // 1944In 1944, Charles Alston married Myra Adele Logan, an intern at the Harlem Hospital, whom he met while he was working on the murals.
- // 1950It was in the 1950s that he started creating abstract paintings. He also continued to drawing figures, occasionally shifting between the two modes. Later, he decided to leave commercial work, so that he could focus on his own work instead. His first painting was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest art museum of the US, in 1950. Three years, later, he held his first solo exhibition at the John Heller Gallery.
- // 1956In 1956, he was appointed as an instructor at the Museum of Modern Art, becoming the first African American to be appointed at this post. Here he taught for a year after which he went to Belgium.
- // 1958In 1958 Charles Alston was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
- // 1960In 1960, he created some religious artworks which included the ‘Christ Head’, which had an angular portrait of Jesus Christ.
- // 1963 To 1973Few years later, in 1963, along with other renowned artists like Romare Bearden, Normal Lewis, and Hale Woodruff, he co-founded the Spiral group, which became the first collective of African American artists in the US. In 1973, he became a full Professor at the City College of New York.
- // 1970 To 1990The bronze sculpture of Martin Luther King, created by Charles Alston, which was put up at the White House in 1990, is regarded as his best and most well-known work. Alston was commissioned for it by the Community Church of New York for $5000 in 1970. This sculpture was also the first piece of art by an African American to be displayed at the White House.
- // 1975He was awarded the first Distinguished Alumni Award from Teachers College in 1975.
- // Jan 1977 To 27th Apr 1977His wife passed away in January 1977. Charles died the same year, of cancer on April 27, 1977.
// Famous Artists & Painters
Micheline Roquebrune
Micheline Roquebrune is a petite Moroccan-French painter best known as the third wife the legendary Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Yvonne McGuinness
Yvonne McGuinness is an Irish multimedia artist. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.
Bob Ross
Bob Ross was a celebrated, creative American painter and an art instructor. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. With this biography, explore his life, childhood, profile and timeline.
Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer was a famous Dutch Baroque painter of the seventeenth century. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Charles Alston's FAQ
What is Charles Alston birthday?
Charles Alston was born at 1907-11-28
When was Charles Alston died?
Charles Alston was died at 1977-04-27
Where was Charles Alston died?
Charles Alston was died in New York City
Which age was Charles Alston died?
Charles Alston was died at age 69
Where is Charles Alston's birth place?
Charles Alston was born in Charlotte
What is Charles Alston nationalities?
Charles Alston's nationalities is American
Who is Charles Alston spouses?
Charles Alston's spouses is Dr. Myra Adele Logan
Who is Charles Alston siblings?
Charles Alston's siblings is Charles, Rousmaniere, Wendell
Who is Charles Alston childrens?
Charles Alston's childrens is Doris LaVerne Alston
What was Charles Alston universities?
Charles Alston studied at Miami University of Ohio
Which company or organization was founded by Charles Alston?
Charles Alston was the founder/co-founder of Spiral
Who is Charles Alston's father?
Charles Alston's father is Primus Priss Alston
Who is Charles Alston's mother?
Charles Alston's mother is Anna Elizabeth Miller Alston
What is Charles Alston's sun sign?
Charles Alston is Sagittarius
How famous is Charles Alston?
Charles Alston is famouse as Painter, Sculptor, Artist, Muralist, Teacher