Barbara Black

(American, born 1936)

Portland, Oregon-based artist Barbara Black creates art that is often related to dreams and mythology. She combines abstract and realistic elements. In her own words, “I try to make art where meanings are complex and layered so that we can return time after time and continue to receive new ideas about the content of the artwork.”

Black received a Bachelor of Arts from Reed College in Portland and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Portland State University. In 1978, she co-founded Blackfish Gallery, an artist-owned cooperative exhibition space in Portland that continues to this day. She has taught art for many colleges and institutions in Oregon State.