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Digital Archive Now Dig This!: Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980
Art Daniel LaRue Johnson, Freedom Now, Number 1
Freedom Now, Number 1, by Daniel LaRue Johnson, August 13, 1963—January 14, 1964

Daniel LaRue Johnson, Artist
Freedom Now, Number 1 , August 13, 1963–January 14, 1964

Medium
Pitch on canvas with "Freedom Now" button, broken doll, hacksaw, mousetrap, flexible tube, and wood
Dimensions
53 7/8 x 55 3/8 x 7 1/2 in. (136.8 x 140.7 x 19.1 cm)
Credit Line
The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 4.1965. Given anonymously, 1965. Digital image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA/Art Resource, NY

Johnson was still a student at Chouinard Art Institute when he created this mixed-media assemblage painting incorporating found materials. Here, as in other works by the artist, the color black takes on a symbolic importance. This work predates Johnson's travels to Paris, which prompted a turning point in his work.