Fired Up! Ready to Go!: Finding Beauty, Demanding Equity: An African American Life in Art. The Collections of Peggy Cooper Cafritz

by Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Thelma Golden (Contributor), Kerry James Marshall (Contributor)

After decades of art collecting, prominent Washington D.C.-based activist, philanthropist, and founder of the august Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Peggy Cooper Cafritz had amassed one of the most important collections of work by artists of color in the country. But in 2009, the more than three hundred works that comprised this extraordinary collection were destroyed in the largest residential fire in Washington, D.C. history. The pioneering collection included art by Kara Walker, Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, Yinka Shonibare, Nick Cave, Kehinde Wiley, Barkley L. Hendricks, Lorna Simpson, and Carrie Mae Weems, among many others.

This beautifully illustrated volume features 200 of the works that were lost, along with works that she has collected since the fire, as well as important contributions by preeminent curators and artists.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, African American

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2018

About the author

Peggy Cooper Cafritz was a Washington D.C.–based activist, philanthropist, art collector, and cofounder of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Reviews

[l · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful collection but I wish there was more commentary for people like me who know FA about art.

[Jalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank Willis Thomas describes Peggy Cooper Cafritz as "a terrestrial constellation connecting stars across galaxies in the fine art universe" and that is such a beautiful and apt description for a woman that stood powerfully at the intersections of art and activism. I love that this book gives a visual representation of some of the work she collected, but included writings from the many people who have benefitted from the generosity of her care and connection. It has lit a path for other aspiring collectors and contributors to cultural equity and justice. I am so happy that she was able to give us this one last gift prior to her passing. Great read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luminous collection of contemporary PoC artists.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad this book exists.