Faith Ringgold’s Black Light Series #7 Ego Painting was created in 1969. Inspired by the textile designs of the Kuba Kingdom of Democratic Republic of the Congo, she addresses blackness as a color and an identity.
This is on exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I watched Dave Chappelle this morning and I thought there is something in today’s circumstances that deeply affects us all. Chappelle did a short comedy show titled, 8:46 to speak to recent events of the death of George Floyd and the riots. The numbers signify the amount of time police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on the neck of George Floyd.
The comedian spoke through his pain and anger which was hardly funny but very true. It gave us a moment of new normal.
Chappelle pointed out that not everyone will respond to recent events the same way or at the same time. We have to give people space to process what is happening around us. We need to see the consequences of our neglect.
This art reflects the state of rage we are in. It is something that consumes us. How it is dealt with will determine if it is squelched or inflamed.
This week brings back BlackGyrlArt
Ahmaud Arbery was shot by two white men and ran off by a truck when he went for a jog on February 23, 2020.
Lots of people are wearing shirts in memory of George Floyd that read “I Can’t Breathe.” This shirt reminds you where you can get your help from
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You can order Cute Shoes
It is the month where we celebrate freedom of African Americans with Juneteenth. In light of the protests that have taken place around the country, this piece I titled Protests.
A protester has been peppersprayed.
In June we will do things that make us better. This month pray for the Supreme Court of the United States. Pray that they will do what is right and just and fair. Pray that everyone in the United States will also do the same.
In June, I will celebrate with photos of art that allow us to reflect on our history.
This is a Boli Fetish Figure from the Bamana people of Mali in West Africa. It is referred to as a fetish because it possessed a magical power representing a spirit that controlled some aspect of their life. It would get rid of disease or punish someone doing wrong in the community.
It was created of animal bones, feathers, vegetable matter, metal, mirror, and other organic matter.
Our world is changing. The riots in cities across the United States have me mesmerized. Anger and frustration is being released but is building up to something else.
The year 2020 is showing to be a pivotal year. It is a year unlike any I have experienced. It will be remembered as a year of impeachment, pandemic and riots. We are only half way through it.
All these images are from CNN covering the riots that have taken place in the last couple of days.
The artistic way the photographers tell the story puts the viewer front and center.
UPP Creative Media 