Surreal and colorful, artist Ray Yoshida created bold artworks inspired by comic books, advertising, and popular culture. Born in Hawai'i, Yoshida spent most of his career in Chicago, where he was aligned with the Chicago Imagists and was a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for nearly 50 years. His art has been described as eclectic and quirky, often repurposing ideas of play, like puzzles, into his artworks. His papers, in the collection of our Smithsonian's Archives of American Art, are available to explore online. https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/ray-yoshida-papers-16081 Credits: Ray Yoshida photo strip, 1950. Ray Yoshida. Painted puzzle pieces, circa 1960s – circa 2005. Ray Yoshida. Ray Yoshida scrapbook of comic book clippings, circa 1960s. Ray Yoshida. Sketchbook, between 1966 and 1990. All images from the Roy Yoshida papers in our Smithsonian's Archives of American Art. #smithsonianaanhpi (fb)

From Spike Lee’s 1992 biopic to Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade,” Malcolm X’s legacy endures as a symbol of Black power and self-determination. Alternating between playful, self-deprecating humor and impassioned appeals for Black empowerment and self-reliance, Malcolm X was an electrifying orator. He captivated crowds and greatly expanded the Nation of Islam’s membership during his time with the Black nationalist organization in the 1950s and early ‘60s. To his critics, Malcolm X was considered radical for his skepticism of nonviolence and, earlier in his career, of racial integration. To his supporters, he was a champion for equality and self-love. He was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, 100 years ago today. These pins are in the collections of Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. (fb)