Elton Fax: A Pioneer in American Art, Journalism, and African-American Advocacy

Born in 1909 in Baltimore, Maryland, Fax used his artistic talent and social awareness to bridge cultural gaps and shed light on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans.
Through his work as an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, and civil rights advocate, Fax became a prominent voice for equality and international solidarity, especially in his engagement with Africa and the civil rights movement in the U.S.
Explore collection
Career as an Illustrator and Writer
Elton Fax was an exceptionally versatile artist. He began his career during the Great Depression, producing artwork for the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal initiative that supported artists during this economically turbulent time. His illustrations ranged from editorial cartoons to murals, addressing social and political issues, particularly the lives of African Americans.
Fax's work often focused on the everyday struggles of Black Americans, highlighting the racial injustices they faced and celebrating their cultural contributions. He contributed to magazines, newspapers, and children’s books, crafting art that was both informative and accessible. He was particularly known for his work in Ebony, The Crisis, and The New York Amsterdam News. His ability to tell stories through both images and words made him a unique voice in journalism.
Discover Elton Fax West Africa Vignettes Collection
View all
Civil Rights Advocacy and Global Perspective
Elton Fax was more than an artist—he was a tireless advocate for civil rights. He used his platform to call attention to the systemic racism in the U.S., often collaborating with prominent civil rights leaders. In the 1940s and 1950s, his art and writing increasingly addressed the fight for equality. He worked with organizations such as the NAACP, and his visual documentation of civil rights protests helped bring these struggles to a broader audience.
However, Fax's vision for justice wasn’t confined to the borders of the United States. He developed a deep interest in Pan-Africanism and solidarity between Black people across the globe. In 1955, he traveled to the Soviet Union with a group of African-American cultural representatives, and in the 1960s, he toured several African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. During these travels, Fax developed relationships with African leaders and documented the cultural and political developments occurring in newly independent African nations. His travels became the basis for his book, Through African Eyes (1969), which captured the emerging post-colonial African societies and their significance for Black people worldwide.
Fax’s engagement with Africa was groundbreaking. At a time when the U.S. media often ignored or misrepresented Africa, he brought back firsthand accounts, offering Americans a more nuanced understanding of the continent. His work emphasized the shared struggles for freedom and dignity between African-Americans and Africans, illustrating how the fight for civil rights in the U.S. paralleled the African liberation movements.