Kerry James Marshall is an American artist widely recognized for his bold and powerful depictions of Black identity and experience in contemporary art. Born in Alabama in 1955, Marshall moved with his family to South Central Los Angeles during the height of the civil rights movement. His work often explores issues of race, representation, and visibility, challenging traditional Western art historical narratives and promoting greater inclusivity in the art world.

One of Marshall's most notable works is his painting, "De Style," which was completed in 1993. The painting is a large-scale composition that features a group of Black figures in a modernist-style interior. The figures are shown engaging in various domestic activities such as reading, playing music, and caring for children. The painting is a commentary on the exclusion of Black bodies from the modernist canon and a celebration of the richness and complexity of Black domestic life. Through "De Style," Marshall challenges the historical marginalization of Black subjects in art and asserts the importance of representation in shaping cultural perceptions and attitudes.