Cynthia Hawkins, a 76-year-old Black abstract painter, discusses her latest work and career in an interview with Cultured. She describes her ongoing "Maps Necessary for a Walk in 4D" series, which began in 1979, and her current exploration of a new iteration called "Fielding Space" or "Maps Fielding Space." Hawkins will be featured in the upcoming "Hard Art" exhibition at MoMA PS1 opening November 5, which places her work alongside over 40 other Black abstract artists including Sam Gilliam and Carolyn Lazard. She reflects on her early art experiences, from learning to draw Mickey Mouse with her father to rejecting paint-by-numbers, and her enduring fascination with color, particularly orange and yellow.
This article matters because it highlights the continued recognition of Black abstraction through a major institutional exhibition at MoMA PS1, while also providing insight into the creative process of an artist who has balanced practice with scholarship and curatorial work for decades. Hawkins's inclusion in "Hard Art" signals a broader institutional effort to address historical gaps in representation, and her personal reflections offer valuable perspective on artistic longevity, color theory, and the evolution of a series spanning over 40 years.