Amanda Williams resurrects George Washington Carver's blue paint to honor Black innovation

In New Orleans, a significant art event known as Prospect.6 took place, where Chicago-based artist Amanda Williams focused on a historical revival of blue paint originally patented by George Washington Carver. This project involved repainting key buildings in 'Carver blue', helping to highlight Carver's neglected contributions to the history of color and art. Throughout the last three years, Williams collaborated with researchers and chemistry students from The University of Chicago to recreate Carver’s pigment-making techniques, using clay materials to produce the unique paint. Williams aimed to celebrate Carver's legacy as an artist and scientist by connecting his work to African American history, particularly through two significant architectural structures. One of these was a historic shotgun-style house at the New Orleans African American Museum, located in Tremé, the country's oldest Black neighborhood. This initiative not only revives Carver's artistic endeavors but also serves as a broader acknowledgment of Black innovation in arts and science. In her exploration of Carver’s history, Williams engaged with Tuskegee University's archives and expressed her admiration for Carver’s relentless pursuit of autonomy and ingenuity in the face of barriers he faced as a Black man in America. While questions linger regarding the reasons behind the limited commercialization of his work, Williams remains committed to continuing her research and relationship with Recreating Carver's blue pigment.