Haile Selassie - Emperor, Warrior 1943

Editor: This is Charles Alston's 1943 drawing, "Haile Selassie - Emperor, Warrior," made with ink on paper. It looks like a political cartoon, but it's also a portrait. It almost feels like a history lesson condensed into one image. What story do you think Alston is trying to tell here? Curator: The story is layered, and Alston masterfully weaves together history, politics, and identity. Beyond a simple portrait, we see an assertion of Black sovereignty and a refutation of colonial narratives. How do you interpret the inclusion of both ancient and contemporary scenes? Editor: Well, I see the references to Solomon and Sheba, connecting Selassie to an ancient lineage. Then, there are images about World War II, with ships bringing aid, and Selassie’s return. So it’s like linking Ethiopia’s past glory to its present struggle and hopeful future. Curator: Exactly! It’s Alston engaging with Pan-Africanism and ideas of Black internationalism prevalent at the time. He places Selassie not just as an Emperor of Ethiopia, but as a symbol of Black resistance and resilience against global oppression. Notice the phrase "Axis Yoke." What does that suggest about Alston's perspective? Editor: That makes it very clear. He's showing Ethiopia as a victim of fascism being liberated. And, linking Selassie to the Queen of Sheba… that's about legitimacy and Black royalty challenging white supremacist ideas of power. Curator: Precisely. Alston challenges dominant narratives. This artwork, even as a drawing, acts as a powerful statement. It connects historical legacies of Black leadership with the contemporary fight against oppression. How does that impact your understanding of portraiture? Editor: It makes me realize a portrait can be more than just a likeness. It can be an argument, a statement of identity, and a call to action. Thanks, I didn't think about the link with current politics until now. Curator: Indeed! And that is the power of contextualizing art within its historical and political landscape; it allows the art to actively speak to present concerns.