As the nation’s most significant arts week approaches, it’s price highlighting among the most influential women of color in the humanities. These pioneering figures – consisting of artists, curators, writers and the like – have made significant contributions to the sphere and have maintained a robust presence over the past 12 months. Their work not only leads contemporary art, but additionally challenges cultural narratives.

From groundbreaking exhibitions to pioneering publications, several Black women are changing the artistic landscape. Their influence extends across media and institutions, bringing fresh perspectives and progressive methods. Whether through powerful visual installations, thought-upsetting projects, or groundbreaking writings, they push boundaries and foster recent dialogue inside the arts community.

This list highlights the achievements of those outstanding figures, highlighting their necessary role in shaping the long run of art. Thanks to fairs equivalent to, amongst others, Art Basel, Prizm, UNTITLED and Scope showcase the very best within the industry, this creation continues to be on the forefront.

Nina Chanel Abney

Abney is understood for her daring, graphic style that mixes abstraction with social commentary. Her work transcends traditional art forms, intersecting with fashion and popular culture with prestigious collaborations equivalent to her Air Jordan collections. After debuting the Air Jordan 2 in 2022, it released a singular green-themed Air Jordan 3 in 2024, showing off its strong presence in each the art and sneaker worlds.

Her recent exhibition at Kinderhook at Jack Shainman Gallery highlights her diverse talents, featuring large-scale sculptures, murals, and digital art installations. This exhibition continues her exploration of racial stereotypes and social issues, drawing on historical movements equivalent to Cubism and the Harlem Renaissance. Through his interdisciplinary practice, Abney expands the boundaries of art, difficult and redefining cultural narratives.

Naomi Beckwith

Beckwith is a curator and art historian known for her work on identity, multidisciplinary practices and contemporary art. She currently serves because the Jennifer and David Stockman Associate Director and Chief Curator on the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, overseeing collections, exhibitions, and curatorial programs. Prior to joining the Guggenheim, Beckwith held senior positions on the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where she curated several influential exhibitions and served on an esteemed jury, including the 2020 Hugo Boss Awards.

Her contribution to the art world has earned her quite a few accolades, including the David C. Driskell in 2024. Recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to African American art, this prestigious award highlights her profound influence in expanding the narrative of art history. Beckwith’s leadership continues to shape Guggenheim’s global vision and exemplifies her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices in her field.

AllisonGlenn

Allison Glenn is a visionary curator and author whose work focuses on expanding the narrative of latest art through inclusion and exploration. Known for her curatorial projects that highlight underrepresented artists and communities, she has made a big impact on the art world by creating platforms for diverse voices. Glenn has held key roles at various institutions, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the New York Public Art Fund, and serves as visiting curator within the Department of Film Studies on the University of Tulsa.

In April, Glenn organized S, a 4-day gathering of artists, scientists, curators and enthusiasts, after which he was named artistic director of The Shepherd in Detroit’s Little Village cultural district. After taking on this position, she directed the acclaimed exhibition, adding one other layer to her growing curatorial skills.

Julia Mehretu

The Ethiopian-American artist creates large-scale, multi-layered paintings that explore sociopolitical change through abstract landscapes. Her work, which mixes history and the emotional impact of space, earned her a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2020. In 2023, she broke auction records along with her work, which sold for $9.32 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.

2024 was a busy 12 months for Mehretu. In June, it announced a collaboration with BMW on their twentieth Art Car, which debuted on the famous Le Mans race; and its impact will expand through workshops geared toward fostering artistic collaboration in various African cities. She was also commissioned to create a 23-meter-long glass installation for the Obama Presidential Center. Mehretu’s work pushes boundaries, cementing her legacy as certainly one of today’s biggest artists.

Russell’s legacy

Russell is a distinguished curator and author based in New York. She currently serves as executive director and chief curator of the nonprofit avant-garde and performance art organization The Kitchen, making her the primary black person to carry this position because the institution’s founding in 1971. Previously, she was associate curator of exhibitions at The Studio Museum in Harlem. Russell creates work that spans art, gender, race and technology, specializing in the intersections of cyberculture and digital identity.

Her 2020 book explores the impact of digital spaces on feminist theory. This 12 months, she released her second book, which delves into the complex interplay between race, digital culture, and web aesthetics. Russell’s progressive approach continues to shape current discussions about art and technology.

Amy Sherald

Sherald, a pioneering portraitist, is renowned for her progressive depictions of African Americans in on a regular basis situations. Her distinctive style, often involving simplified realism and the usage of grisaille to challenge traditional ideas about skin color, has gained considerable acclaim. Sherald made history in 2016 as the primary African American woman to win the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

Her notable works include portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor – the previous of whom was featured in Obama’s iconic portraits and gained international acclaim. Sherald’s recent exhibition on the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art will feature nearly 50 of her paintings created between 2007 and 2024. This mid-profession survey will cover each famous works and recent works, highlighting Sherald’s profound impact on American art and culture.

Michael Salomon

Solomon has been an integral a part of the Miami art scene for a very long time. As a designer, curator and propagator of multi-faceted art. With a background in theater, dance and architecture, she draws on her diverse knowledge, which fuels her passion for community-centered artistic development.

As the founder and director of the Prizm Art Fair, launched in 2013, she has made significant strides in promoting contemporary artists from her homeland and the African diaspora, exhibiting their work during Miami Art Week. Prizm has grown from featuring 25 artists to 60 artists annually, highlighting the voices of underrepresented communities. Solomon’s leadership extends beyond the art world as she continually strives to raise Miami’s cultural landscape through creative initiatives. Her latest projects aim to create recent opportunities for local residents, contributing to the long run of Miami’s thriving arts community.

Kara Walker

Walker’s exploration of race, gender, and power through her explicit use of silhouettes has earned her a spot within the pantheon of black artists. Raised in Atlanta, she used her work to confront the legacies of slavery and oppression, creating a fancy narrative around identity and history. Her daring, provocative works have been included in lots of prestigious collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and Tate Modern. Walker’s work often combines historical motifs with contemporary reflections, forcing viewers to face uncomfortable truths.

—Walker’s current exhibition—on view at SFMOMA through 2026. The exhibition explores themes of trauma, technology, and transformation, offering an immersive experience that questions the long run of humanity. Walker’s goal is to challenge social norms through the use of her art to spark meaningful conversations.

Mr. Nengi

Omuku is a Nigerian artist whose work explores the character, heritage and attributes of psychological experiences. Her paintings on sanyana, a conventional fabric woven by the Yoruba people, depict abstract figures inhabiting beautiful landscapes. Her figures also embody themes of spirituality, identity and collective memory, combining Nigerian cultural heritage with contemporary art. They reflect personal experiences while touching upon social and social issues.

This 12 months, Omuku debuted along with her first solo exhibition in New York. The exhibition consisted of eight oil paintings, each inspired by the artist’s unique perspective. Her exhibitions – each nationally and internationally – have brought Nigerian art to enthusiastic audiences around the globe, making Omuku a rising star within the contemporary art world.