Kaleidoscope Reflection

I had the opportunity to curate the Kaleidoscope exhibit in the lobby gallery of Publick Playhouse January 6 - March 13, 2015. The exhibit features the artwork of seven Black Artists of DC members - Daniel Brooking, Maria Marable-Bunch, Adjoa Burrowes, Carolyn Goodridge, Russell Simmons, Magruder Murray, and Jeffery Boston Weatherford.

When reflecting on the theme I was drawn to the kaleidoscope for many reasons, including its appeal that reaches back to childhood. Holding the hollow, long cylinder filled with small, colored objects such as glass or beads, to the light, was awe inspiring. Peering into one end, and observing the vibrant symmetrical patterns that resulted from light entering the other, was magical. As the tube is rotated again and again, more patterns result from the reflection off the mirrors placed inside at different angles. The kaleidoscope can be a metaphor for many things. An artist can approach it from various angles and choose to focus on one or more qualities it holds. The object and word is ripe for many interpretations. Each of the artists was invited to reflect on the theme as they saw fit.

Behind the Scenes Freedom Prints

Hand pulled print on Japanese paper.

My presentation, Freedom Prints was given October 22, 2014 at the Corcoran School of Arts and Design in Washington D.C. that featured the artwork as well as the motivation behind my series of woodcut prints. The imagery in the woodcuts were inspired by interviews I conducted with selected family members including my daughter, youngest son and niece about their conceptions of freedom. The series grew out of a large-scale collaborative project I participated in during the summer of 2014 that included faculty and students from the University of Maryland, Corcoran and community members at TheArc in southeast D.C. During the presentation I gave a behind the scenes look  my art process including initial pencil sketches, cut-out paper stencils, journal reflections, poetry and some of the printing process.

The Essence of Freedom

Drawing inspiration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous ‘Four Freedoms’ speech, this exhibition examines the essence of "freedom," or lack thereof, through visual imagery, stories, poems, and oral interviews. Monumental steamroller-printed woodcuts were created by students from the Corcoran, the University of Maryland, and members of THEARC community and are displayed in The Art Gallery’s back gallery. - See more at: http://www.artgallery.umd.edu/exhibition/carving-out-freedom-piecing-community#sthash.DMwTV8ti.dpuf

This was one of the first sculptures created in my cross media class at the Corcoran. We were challenged to create a hand held sculpture that works on all sides using recycled material and NOT using any tape or adhesives or scissors. It seemed natural to photograph this in a natural setting. The art was playful and whimsical. 

Carving Out Freedom

The fruits of our collective labor on display at the University of Maryland Art Gallery. Check out the opening on Wednesday, September 3, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., UMD, College Park.
http://www.artgallery.umd.edu/exhibition/carving-out-freedom-piecing-community

Interpreting Freedom

In my studio, I worked on several woodcuts based on conversations I had with family members this summer about Freedom. Their interpretations were very interesting. I love the physicality of woodcuts. I'm still a printmaker by nature.

Monster Prints on Community Day

Our team's fabulous collaborative woodcut fresh from the steamroller.

Placing the large sheet of paper over the woodblock.

Rolling over the huge woodblock that had been covered with cloth.

Carefully releasing the print from the plate.

All the hard work designing, carving and proofing our large-scale woodblocks based on the concept of freedom paid off on Community Print Day on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) in Washington D.C. Four design teams consisting of Corcoran College of Art and Design and University of Maryland students and faculty, ArtReach and members of the community steamroll printed their 4' x 8' images at THEARC in Washington, D.C.