Lot 172
Black Joe Jackson (American, 1922-1997). "Ma N Me" house paint on plywood, n.d. Signed down right margin and titled down left. A vibrant act of remembrance rendered in bold strokes and loving detail, "Ma N Me" is Black Joe Jacksons tribute to childhood, kinship, and the quiet poetry of Southern life. Painted in house paint on plywood, the work presents a dynamic duo: the artist himself as a boy, facing his mother in a shared step that feels like both memory and motion. His hand is raised in mid-gesture, while her unseen arm - likely linked with his behind her back - binds them together in invisible unity. Ma wears a pale blue dress adorned with a rhythmic X-pattern and carries a woven basket in one hand, her grounded posture balancing the youthful energy of her son. His red shirt blooms with golden buds against sky-blue pants, echoing the bright joy of their interaction. They do not simply walk - they move as one, caught in what feels like a dance, an intimate choreography between parent and child. Size: 12.5" W x 15.75" H (31.8 cm x 40 cm)
Behind them, a swirl of impressionistic color washes the panel in soft, dappled tones of lavender, green, ochre, and pink - a dreamscape of remembered fields and skies. Flat silhouettes, expressive eyes, and inscribed text anchor the painting in Jacksons distinctive vernacular style, where memory is rendered not just with paint, but with presence.
About the Artist: Black Joe Jackson was a self-taught African-American artist born to a sharecropper family near Atlanta, Georgia in 1920. Jackson created paintings on wooden boards and used easily available materials such as house paint an scrap wood. He was born with dyslexia, and the writings on his paintings demonstrate this. He is oftentimes described as a folk artist or an outsider artist due to his playful, naive style. Jackson's themes reflect memories from his childhood in the South.
Provenance: private Rochester, Minnesota, USA collection, acquired from 1990 -1998
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#192001
- Condition: Signed down right margin and titled down left. Painting is in excellent overall condition with suspension hook on verso for display.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |