12th day of #BlackHistoryMonth2020 𝐄𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐫. “𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐭” Born July 15, 1938 was an American artist, well known for his unique style of elongation and movement. He was also a professional football player, actor, and author. In December 1959 Barnes was drafted in the 10th round by the then-World Champion #BaltimoreColts. He was originally selected in the 8th-round by the @Redskins, who renounced the pick minutes after discovering he was a Negro. Shortly after his 22nd birthday, while at the Colts training camp, Barnes was interviewed by N.P. Clark, a sportswriter for the Baltimore News-Post newspaper. Until then Barnes was always known by his birth name, Ernest Barnes. But when Clark's article appeared on July 20, 1960, it referred to him as "Ernie Barnes," which changed his name and life forever. Barnes was called #BigRembrandt by his Denver teammates. Coincidentally, Barnes and Rembrandt share the same birthday. In response to the 1960s "Black is beautiful" cultural movement and James Brown's 1968 "Say it Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud" song, Barnes created The Beauty of the Ghetto exhibition of 35 paintings that toured major American cities from 1972 to 1979 hosted by dignitaries, professional athletes, and celebrities. Of this exhibition, Barnes said, "I am providing a pictorial background for an understanding of the aesthetics of black America. It is not a plea to people to continue to live there (in the ghetto) but for those who feel trapped, it is...a challenge of how beautiful life can be.” When the exhibition was on view in 1974 at the Museum of African Art in Washington, DC, Rep. John Conyers stressed the important positive message of the exhibit in the Congressional Record. Barnes created the painting #TheSugarShack in 1971. It gained international exposure when it was used on the #GoodTimes television series and on the 1976 #MarvinGaye album I Want You #BlackHistory #nfl #everythangculture #Art #history #podcast (at Mount Baker, Seattle) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8eZBREA9B9/?igshid=12fi6zm76t3gy
