February is Black History Month and I’ll be highlighting the art associated with famous black activists.

For today’s post, Rosa Parks is being highlighted for her courage and efforts to advance the fight for equal rights.

Original Oil Painting by Christina Tarkoff.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a city bus and sat in the appropriate section for black riders. She has explained that the bus driver and she had previous interactions from her entering via the wrong door, but on that day she didn’t realize the same driver was driving that bus. As the white’s only section filled up the bus driver asked Rosa Parks and 3 other black passengers move to seats further back so white people wouldn’t have to stand up.

At first, all 4 riders refused to give up their seats, but as the situation escalated the other 3 did move further back, but Rosa Parks held steady. She was then arrested for her actions. Parks was quoted as saying: “When he saw me still sitting, he asked if I was going to stand up, and I said, ‘No, I’m not.’ And he said, ‘Well, if you don’t stand up, I’m going to have to call the police and have you arrested.’ I said, ‘You may do that.'”

There are some who believe that Rosa Parks set out to sit in the wrong section of the bus, which is something she had done in the past. But she was quoted as explaining that in this situation she hadn’t intended to cause trouble. However, when she was asked to move she reflected on many innocent black men and women who had been killed by racists and decided to not give in.

This was definitely an act of Peaceful Protest, but is not considered art by itself. Over the years artists have used this incident as inspiration for creating protest art which carries a powerful message, and that’s what I’d like to highlight.

The photo that most of us are familiar with seeing was not from the actual incident but rather a recreation of the event for a press conference. A white reporter sat behind her to add to the dramatic effect:

Rosa Parks’ mug shot from her participation in the 1965, Montgomery Bus Boycott has also become famous with many artists using it to make it to make a point:

By updating and repeating the image, it continues to tell her story and keep her memory alive. These images are a powerful reminder of her activism and a call to continue her legacy.

Original:

“Rosa Parks” by Clemence Powney:

And, another by Donald Corpier Starr: