The Green Door 1981

Lois Mailou Jones created "The Green Door" as a watercolor on paper. Jones, an African American artist, traveled extensively, and this work, painted in Haiti, reflects her engagement with diasporic Black communities. The painting captures a vibrant street scene, full of everyday life; a community bustling with activity. Notice the figures carrying goods, children playing, and the open green door inviting you into the scene. Jones was deeply committed to representing Black life with dignity and complexity, countering stereotypical images prevalent at the time. Her work provides a window into the beauty and resilience of Black cultures, and like many artists of her generation, Jones explored her own identity through her art. She once said "One way I have tried to picture my world is to paint and interpret the American scene. I am interested in people, their culture and their way of life". "The Green Door" invites us to reflect on the connections between personal identity, cultural heritage, and the power of art to foster understanding.