Alain Locke and the Visual ArtsA fresh perspective on the influential critic, offering new ways of understanding the art of the Harlem Renaissance Critic and theorist Alain Locke (18851954) was a foundational figure of the Harlem Renaissance who argued that changing self perceptions among Black artists and writers would alter Americas view of itself as a whole. Offering a new interpretation of Lockes influential writings, Kobena Mercer focuses on the importance of cross cultural