African-American conceptual art gained autonomy despite mainstream neglect

Evidence

Consequently, a completely new opportunity is created to produce an artistic work defined by and for itself. Even if it remains widely ignored by the mainstream, for historical reasons similar to those that identified earlier generations, African-American art that is pointed in this new direction acquires certain independence without being categorically relegated to the margins of the artistic medium. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 2923

Categorization

• SEED: Potential essay angle: how marginalized traditions achieve artistic autonomy precisely by being ignored by the mainstream — independence through neglect rather than recognition.