Artist and former professional football player Ernie Barnes has died. He was 70. Best known for his unique, figurative style of painting, Barnes is widely recognized as the foremost African-American artist today.
Born on July 15, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina, Barnes took up track and field and football in high school and played football at North Carolina Central University on an athletic scholarship. He went on to play offensive guard for five seasons in the American Football League and was designated the “Official Artist of the American Football League”.
In 1965, New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin recognized Barnes’ artistic potential and replaced his football salary for one season so he could devote himself “to just paint”. One year later, Barnes made his debut in a critically acclaimed solo exhibition at Grand Central Art Galleries in Manhattan and retired from football. His autobiography, From Pads to Palette, chronicles his transition from athlete to artist.
Barnes’ artwork is characterized by elongated figures, usually in motion. His famous “Sugar Shack” dance scene appeared on the cover of Marvin Gaye’s I Want You in 1976 and the closing credits of the Good Times television show.
VIDEO ABOUT ERNIE BARNES
Barnes died Monday at a hospital of complications from a rare blood disorder. He is survived by his wife, brother, two sons and three daughters.
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Concrete Loop features ‘CL History Spotlights’ honoring individuals who have played pivotal roles in history, made significant contributions but have been disregarded. submissions are welcome.
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Wow….where can I purchase some of his work?
Who doesn’t remember that painting from Good Times? Great artist…wish I had a little bit of that talent. Condolences to his family.
I love his work
What a God giving talent. Thanks concreteloop keeping enlighten us about our people.
Nice to know about the man behind the canvas…great work. I always like looking at his work you always notice something different everytime you look at it.
His work is amazing!!!!
R.I.P.
My Mother has his paintings all throughout her house.
R.I.P Mr. Barnes
I can’t be the only one that was also immediately reminded of the Uptown Saturday night album cover?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uptown_Saturday_Night_(album)
Its the emphasis on the body and the emotions conveyed in the pose that impresses me a lot. I’m actually going to take a closer look at his collection.
Nonetheless, RIP.
every black person in America can’t forget the “good time” painting!
Rest In Peace, Mr. Barnes. He was one of my favorite artists and his style really influenced me growing up.His style was often imitated but NEVER duplicated. He truly was a one of a kind. An ICON. My condolences to his family and may his LEGACY live on.
RIP
Thats incredible CL, RIP
Love these snippets of BlackHistory! R.I.P Ernie Barnes!! You will live on in the hearts of the many whom you’ve touched thru your artwork!!
His artwork looks AMAZING! I would LOVE to buy some of his pieces….anyone know where I could make such a purchase? And in Toronto??
I LOVE HIS WORK ESPECIALLY THE PAINTING FROM GOOD TIMES HIS PAINTINGS SHOW SOUL AND FEELING. I WOULD LOVE TO GET ONE OF HIS PAINTINGS ONE DAY! RIP MR.BARNES
He better rep that Bull City!!! 919 all day!!!
Great talent. I’ve always seen thesr paintings but never knew who the artist was.
R.I.P.
R.I.P. Mr. Barnes! Your legacy lives on!
@niobe
That’s exactly what I thought of.
RIP
One of my frat brothers has one of his paintings. He’s a great talent
How sad – RIP. I have several of his paintings hanging throughout my house.
May God rest his soul…
Limited edition are costly. Now that he has died the price is going to be astrinomical…
I used to always wonder where the paintings came from the JJ created. I remember the one he painted in the bank. I love the one by barnes where the girls are jumping on a piece of wood. Its gorgeous. He will be truly missed!!!! Good job CL
Wow! I remember that picture from Good Times too. This man was very talented. RIP Ernie Barnes- condolences to his family. CL thanks for these posts. You post lots of great people who contributed much to our communities.
RIP!
CL, you should do a black history column every thursday and friday. One-day isn’t enough! I really appreciate these, and just think how your teachings are effecting all types of people, races, etc….
Keep up the good work!
THANK YOU J DAKAR for covering BLACK ARTISTS!! I am ALWAYS interested in learning about African American artists… because we all aren’t wannabe rappers, models and singers.
I love you!
Nigeria,
BFA Painting & Drawing Graduate and … ARTIST!
Condolences to his family…he was a giant talent! RIP Ernie Barnes…!
I love his work! I think he did a mural on the celing of Kanye’s 1st home! So talented! My mom has one of his prints in her living room, grew up admiring his work. And everytime I looked ( that painting I saw something different. Damn I knw the price for his wrk is going 2 b sky high now! Hopefully mom dukes will pass that painting along 2 me
TRULY AMAZING!
I have to say that I am thankful to have
discovered Ernie’s work.
With all the madness that happens in our world
and in our individual lives it’s important that we
seek to discover and celebrate the beauty around us.
This mans work was filled with so much color and life
yet most importantly he drew these masterpieces
from his surroundings…yours and mine. Talk about
growing flowers out of concrete (no pun intended!)
Thanks to Concreteloop (J. Dakar) for a concise
yet meaningful celebration.
Tosin TAO
(London)
I knew I recognized that from Good Times! I didn’t know he was from NC either. He’ll be missed, I’d love to own some of his work.
just plain excellent. he was indeed a great artist.
“Temporary layoffs…Good Times” lol
awww Rest in Peace!… he was a true talent! I had some of his pics as my screen saver just last month!
Great style. Wouldnt have even heard of him if not fod this post
so THAT’S what the good times artist looked like.
he was awfully talented.
his work is infamous! I used to get my haircut at the barbershop at NCCU when I was a grad student there. Ms. Yvonne would always talk about him while I was getting my hair cut.
she’d brag on how NCCU produced giants – like Mr. Barnes!
also, we need to buy more art guys.
You realize that it appreciates, esp after the artist dies, b/c NO MORE of that work will ever be able to be produced. Suddenly, there will be more demand than supply.
Plus, artists like Mr. Barnes produced works that reflect our history! We will ALWAYS want to be reminded of from whence we’ve come, so buying art from UNIQUE artists (like Mr. Barnes) is a safe economic and historical bet!
his work is awesome.
RIP…
once again, great post…
……..whoa, i am so shocked to find out that he died. man…i just did some research on him like 6 months ago. yes, he was very heavily involved with Good Times. he went from not being physically allowed into certain museums to having art exhibitions in those very same museums. not to mention that his artwork was one of the most positive aspects of Good Times. his work added culture, perspective and depth to a very popular 70′s show. i send my prayers out to his family and all those affected by his death. he was quite a talent.
Wow so this was the man behind these talented works of ART? (of course it wasn’t really “JAY JAY” from Good Times–acting like he was painting on all those episodes)–LOL!
Anyway…God Bless his soul. I have always admired his art work all these years. WOOOW!
That was his TALENT/GIFT.
Wow. Very talented! God Bless his family.
Whe I watch Good Times and saw the paintings, I fell in love. I had to watch the credits to get the artist’s name so I could collect his work.
RIP
Oh ok…it is always good to put a face with the product! I see he also did the ‘AGGIE PRIDE’ painting for NC A&T
RIP
I looooooooooove this man’s creations!!!!! i remember how he would paint the metal gates on the stores in Harlem (125th St.) to “brighten-up” the place and bring some art and positivity to the community.
He has left a legacy of greatness behind. If anyone is interested in purchasing or checking out more info on his creations go to: ErnieBarnes.com
His work is Amazing and that’s the painting from Good Times…R.I.P..God bless his family
He also did all of JJ’s paintings in the show
i always wondered if JJ really painted that painting. hahaha LLS. amazing artist. God Bless, RIP.