Mary Lovelace O’Neal

Mary Lovelace O’Neal (b. 1942) is a renowned American abstract expressionist artist. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, O’Neal studied art at Howard University, where she was a student of the influential African American art  historian and curator David C. Driskell. O’Neal’s paintings are characterized by their vivid colors, bold brushstrokes, and abstract, non-representational forms. Her work is firmly rooted in the tradition of abstract expressionism, which emerged in the 1940s and 1950s and emphasized spontaneous emotional, gestural approaches to painting. However, O’Neal’s abstract style also reflects her personal experiences and perspectives as an African American woman artist. While O’Neal’s painting style is firmly rooted in the tradition of abstract expressionism, with its emphasis on spontaneous, emotive brushwork and bold use of color, she has also explored other media throughout her career. Her printmaking  work has been highly acclaimed, with the artist experimenting with techniques like lithography, etching, and silkscreen to create richly textured, multilayered compositions. (HT)