Norman Lewis was an influential Harlem painter whose work helped innovate the abstract expressionist style he was best known for. Lewis didn’t achieve mainstream fame for a variety of reasons but never geared his work to secure commercial success or critical adoration. Born Norman Wilfred Lewis in Harlem, New York to Bermudan parents, the future began painting as a young man. In the 30s he found opportunities to showcase his work. Influenced heavily by Black sculptor and Harlem Renaissance figure Agatha Savage, Lewis began working in the “360” art group, the Harlem Artists Guild, and also taught.
