Malkia Roberts

Malkia Roberts
Born	February 2, 1917 Washington, D.C.
Died	April 28, 2004 (age 87) Silver Spring, MD
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of Michigan Howard University
Known for	Painting
Notable work	"Out of the Blues"
Style	Abstract

Lucille Elizabeth Davis "Malkia" Roberts (1917–2004) was an American painter and educator known for her African-inspired themes and long career in Washington, D.C.[1] A graduate of Howard University and the University of Michigan, she taught in D.C. public schools for decades.[2] Roberts also held academic positions at several universities, including Howard. Influenced by her travels to Africa and studies in sociology, Roberts blended intellectual themes with vibrant artistic expression.[3] Her work was widely exhibited and remains in numerous public and private collections, reflecting her deep engagement with cultural heritage and artistic education.

Life

Born in Washington, D.C., Roberts earned her bachelor's degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan.[2] Roberts taught for D.C. public schools throughout her career, including Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Shaw Junior High School, where she taught alongside Alma Thomas for forty years.[4] She held professorships of art and art history at D.C. Teachers College, State University of New York at Oswego, Washington Technical Institute and American University.[5] Roberts traveled extensively during her career, but much of her work was informed by African themes and topics.[3] Roberts also studied with Hale Woodruff and taught at Howard University from 1976 to 1985.[6] Roberts exhibited widely, and numerous private and public collections include her works.[2] According to Roberts, her studies heavily influenced her: "I have various degrees in Sociology which allow me to inject intellectual themes into my artistry."[7] In addition, her "travels to Africa ... greatly influenced [her] style and direction of work."[8]

Malkia Roberts ( 1923 ), “Spectrum” Acrylic on canvas 1972

References

1. "Lucille Elizabeth Davis "Malkia" Roberts Bio and Resume" (PDF). galeriemyrtis.net. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
2. Jules Heller; Nancy G. Heller (19 December 2013). North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century: A Biographical Dictionary. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-63882-5.
3. Samella S. Lewis (2003). African American Art and Artists. University of California Press. pp. 150–. ISBN 978-0-520-23935-7.
4. Alma Thomas; Fort Wayne Museum of Art (1998). Alma W. Thomas: A Retrospective of the Paintings. Pomegranate. pp. 43–. ISBN 978-0-7649-0686-2.
5. King-Tisdell Museum (1988). Odyssey: Paintings [by] Malkia Roberts.
6. "Swann Galleries - The Richard A. Long Collection of African-American Art - Sale 2359, Part I - October 9, 2014". Retrieved 3 February 2017.
7. duBuclet, Linda (December 27, 1984). "The Blues: Artist's Best Work". The Washington Post.
8. Peirre-Noel, Lois Jones (1976). "Black Women in the Visual Arts: A Comparative Study". New Directions. 3 (2): 3 – via Google Scholar.