Twins Seven Seven

My heart is saddened at the passing of international sensation, visionary artist Twins Seven Seven at aged 67 in Ibadan. I had the amazing blessing of meeting him and experiencing his works in Oshogbo in 1977. International printmaking innovator Bruce Onobrakpeya drove me to Oshogbo to meet him. Twins Seven Seven took me to a club he owned for refreshments (he was also a musician) and then to the art village collective where teams of African women dyed batiks in the open air. It was so vibrant. The air was thick with creative energy. I traveled alone to Nigeria and to three other African countries that year through a fellowship from Howard. My study tour was designed by African Art historian Dr. Kojo Fosu Baiden. Dr Baiden had curated an exhibition of contemporary African art at Howard that year that opened my eyes to contemporary African artists across the continent, including a sculptor from Zaire, a solar engraver from Sudan, and a textile designer from Ghana.

Have Art Will Travel...

I did a series of thirteen small collages for the 12th International Art Exchange and Exhibition this past Spring organized by artists in New Zealand. I've just learned that the collection will be housed at the Tsanko Lavrenov National School of Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and will be exhibited in the Trakart Gallery in Plovdiv. I'm thrilled.

San e psa

What is happening. Things are happening (San e psa) was the title of an exhibit at Pulcri Studios in The Hague featuring Kurt Nahar and Marcel Pinas (both from Suriname) and Patricia Kearsenhout (The Netherlands). The title was conceived by Nahar and referred to his idea that youth in both Suriname and in the Netherlands know little or nothing about critical historical and political events in Suriname and in particular events of the eighties. Nahar and Pina's controversial art installations arouse interest and beg an explanation. Kearsenhout's art incorporates text as the basis for her work and were equally engaging. The exhibit ran from March 13, to April 4, 2010. Luckily I had a chance to meet both Nahar and Pinas while in the Netherlands and talk and share our work.

Rinaldo Klas exhibit in The Hague

I met several artists from Suriname while visiting The Netherlands in late March including painter, Rinaldo Klas who had work exhibiting in The Hague.

On To France

Just heard today that one of my collages that I submitted to the 12th International Collage Exhibition/Exchange in New Zealand, will be going to ArtColle, the museum of collage in France. It used to be situated in Sergines, but now is housed in a stunning building, a 17th Century chapel in Brittany.

Art Arrived

I just got word that my 13 collages arrived in New Zealand as part of the 12th International Collage Exhibition and Exchange.  

New Zealand Exchange

 

In my push to go global in 2010, I submitted thirteen 8" x 8" collages for an international exchange of art from artists around the world to New Zealand. I rushed to the post office to meet the March 20 deadline. I printed out the pigment prints on my Epson printer on bright white watercolor paper and then cut and paste geometric images I painted and collaged other images on top.

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Going Global in 2010

Although I live in the US, my art has been influenced by my travels abroad. I've studied with artists in several countries in Africa, including a painter and textile artist in Ghana, a preeminent printmaker in Nigeria, a solar engraver in Sudan and have presented my art in the Caribbean. I recognize the universal power of art to connect and bridge cultures and communities by highlighting our shared humanity. Our stories and art paint our hopes and add color and shape to our dreams, which can manifest healing and life transformation. I'm excited about taking my art to the Netherlands this spring, collaborating with other artists and making art that touching lives around the world.

An American Consciousness

I had the pleasure of meeting artist Robin Holder in December 09 at a reception hosted by painter Lilian Burwell at her home and beach studio in Highland Beach, MD. Holder's mid-career retrospective "An American Consciousness" was on exhibition at the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. After the reception, artists and friends carpooled to the Center to view the work on its last day. Upon arriving, I was struck immediately by Holders "Warrior Women Wizards" series (one of eight series exhibited) and pondered each peice, wondering how she was able to technically execute each one. The stencil monotypes, linoleum prints with stencils, and photo silkscreened stencil monotypes were strikingly bold, layered and textured and had such marvelous energy. I purchased the beautiful full-color 107 page catalog and hungrily read each page that night. Her work demonstrates such mastery of her artistic domain and commands respect and awe.