Wright Auction

Charles Alston was a prominent painter, illustrator, educator, graphic designer, and sculptor who flourished during the Harlem Renaissance. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he developed his artistic talent under the mentorship of his older brother. Alston pursued his education at Columbia University, earning a B.A. in 1929 and an M.A. in fine art in 1931.

After graduating, he began teaching at the Harlem Arts Workshop, nurturing emerging artists like Jacob Lawrence. In the 1930s, Alston contributed as an illustrator for well-known magazines, including Mademoiselle and The New Yorker. During the Great Depression, he became one of the few African American supervisors for the Works Progress Administration.

Alston's work spanned from Realism to Abstract Modernism, reflecting the significant social changes of his era. He is particularly renowned for his murals, especially Magic in Medicine and Modern Medicine, commissioned by the WPA for Harlem Hospital Center. Completed in 1940, these murals celebrate Black medical professionals and traditional African healers.

During World War II, Alston designed posters for the Office of War Information aimed at encouraging African Americans to enlist and serve. After the war, he taught at the Art Students League and MoMA, making history as the first African American instructor at both institutions.

Throughout his career, Alston earned several honors, including a commission to sculpt a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. for the Community Church of New York, which became the first image of an African American displayed in the White House. Alston passed away in 1977, and his legacy is honored by the Charles Alston Merit Scholarship at the Art Students League. His work is still recognized for its cultural and historical significance.