Gustave Blache III

A realist painter whose work is steeped in a classical style. He believes classical painting does not get as much attention as it should, especially when it comes to black artists in America. Blache cites examples of showing his work to certain galleries and being told they were, ‘not black enough.’ He stresses the need for Black artists to look beyond America for their inspiration, referencing past masters who have ‘borrowed’ and sometimes exploited,’ African themes.

A New Orleans native, Blache’s life was strongly affected by the recent Katrina hurricane, causing him to relocate his work and family to New York City.