Barbara Jones-Hogu (American, 1938–2017). <em>I'm Better Than These Motherfuckers</em>, ca. 1970. Color screenprint, sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of R.M. Atwater, Anna Wolfrom Dove, Alice Fiebiger, Joseph Fiebiger, Belle Campbell Harriss, and Emma L. Hyde, by exchange, Designated Purchase Fund, Mary Smith Dorward Fund, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, and Carll H. de Silver Fund, 2012.80.24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2012.80.24_PS4.jpg)

Barbara Jones-Hogu (American, 1938–2017). I'm Better Than These Motherfuckers, ca. 1970. Color screenprint, sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of R.M. Atwater, Anna Wolfrom Dove, Alice Fiebiger, Joseph Fiebiger, Belle Campbell Harriss, and Emma L. Hyde, by exchange, Designated Purchase Fund, Mary Smith Dorward Fund, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, and Carll H. de Silver Fund, 2012.80.24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2012.80.24_PS4.jpg)

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Can you tell me more about this work?

Posters were embraced by the Black Arts Movement because they were affordable and quick to produce in multiples, making them easy to distribute.

The bright colors are what artists at the time called "Cool Ade" colors - very saturated and appealing to look at (making the political message appealing too).

If you look at the front of Jarrell's "Urban Wall Suit", you will see the poster imagery repeated there. Most of these artists were not embraced by the traditional art community of galleries and museums, so the street became their gallery!

Right on! Thank you!

Why is the light on these artworks so much darker than the light on other art in this gallery?

You're very perceptive. Works on paper, like these prints (watercolors would also fall into this category) are very sensitive to light and fade very easily. The light is kept low to help preserve the artworks. Works on paper cannot be exposed to light for long periods of time either. After this exhibition they will be returned to dark storage to "rest."

Okay. Thank you. I noticed the dresses are displayed nearby. Does fabric have the same light issues?

Textiles do share a lot of the same concerns. Temperature and humidity are also major considerations.

I'm Better Than These Motherfuckers

Barbara Jones-Hogu

Contemporary Art

ARTIST Barbara Jones-Hogu, American, 1938–2017

MEDIUM Color screenprint

DATES ca. 1970

DIMENSIONS sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm) frame: 30 7/8 × 41 × 1 7/8 in. (78.4 × 104.1 × 4.8 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed in pencil

COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2012.80.24

CREDIT LINE Gift of R.M. Atwater, Anna Wolfrom Dove, Alice Fiebiger, Joseph Fiebiger, Belle Campbell Harriss, and Emma L. Hyde, by exchange, Designated Purchase Fund, Mary Smith Dorward Fund, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, and Carll H. de Silver Fund

EXHIBITIONS

We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Barbara Jones-Hogu (American, 1938–2017). I'm Better Than These Motherfuckers, ca. 1970. Color screenprint, sheet: 20 x 30 in. (50.8 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of R.M. Atwater, Anna Wolfrom Dove, Alice Fiebiger, Joseph Fiebiger, Belle Campbell Harriss, and Emma L. Hyde, by exchange, Designated Purchase Fund, Mary Smith Dorward Fund, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, and Carll H. de Silver Fund, 2012.80.24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2012.80.24_PS4.jpg)

EDITION From a small edition of unknown size

IMAGE overall, 2012.80.24_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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