ARTWORK:
#BlackHistoryMonth
Nathaniel F. Austin (American, born 1988)
“Strange Fruit,” 2020
Pencil and charcoal drawing on paper
5 x 4 feet
Private collection
The title of this painting, “Strange Fruit” derives from a powerful 1939 protest song made famous by Billie Holiday that serves as a metaphor for the lynching of African Americans in the Southern United States. The haunting lyrics describe Black bodies hanging from trees, comparing the victims to “strange fruit” or “bitter crop”. The song was written by Abel Meeropol to protest this violence.
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Nathaniel F. Austin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He began creating at an early age and attended Cleveland School of the Arts. After high school, Nathaniel attended the University of Toledo where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in 2015. He moved back to Cleveland where he currently lives. Over the years, Nathaniel’s art has evolved. While he works with many different materials, his specialty is using a combination of charcoal and acrylic to create realistic images. His art hangs across the nation in homes, schools and businesses.
