by Sandy | Dec 9, 2019 | Art, Blogroll, Books, Creativity, Culture, Photograhy
“I Paint My House” by Margaret Courtney-Clarke is a collection of photographs of African women showing how they decorate their homes. In addition to pottery and textiles, there is a South and West African tradition of painting the outside of the house with bold shapes and bright colors representing the people that live inside. The women are able to express themselves as family history is documented through art and design.
Ms Courtney-Clarke has also produced coffee table sized books, “African Canvas: The Art of West African Women”, filled with her photographs of the bright geometric designs of Berber and Ghanaian women.
(“I Paint My House” is actually a book of postcards. But, the murals and decorations are so vibrant and alive, I haven’t mailed any.)
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by Sandy | Oct 9, 2019 | Blogroll, Culture, Education, Exhibits, Learning, Museums
This wonderful, amazing space is always packed during the Summer. Maybe a nice Fall visit will give an opportunity to see more ~ without the lines 🙂
The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in September 2016. There’s lots to see and experience. The museum’s 11 massive galleries contain more than 30,000 priceless artifacts collected from all over the country.
Oprah Winfrey has her own exhibit devoted to her 25 years on T.V. Video highlights from her shows, letters & journals, photographs, etc all gathered to acknowledge an amazing life – Oprah!
Founding director Lonnie Bunch says, “This is not (nor was it ever intended to be) the National Museum of Discrimination…For me, the African American experience is an experience not of tragedy, but of unbelievable belief — belief in themselves, belief in an America that often didn’t believe in them”.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
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by Sandy | Jul 15, 2019 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits
“Barnes created some
of the twentieth century’s most iconic images of African American life. Known
for his unique “neo-mannerist” approach of presenting figures through elongated
forms, he captured his observations of life growing up in North Carolina,
playing professional football in the NFL (1960–1964), and living in Los
Angeles.“
“For many fans of
1970s American television, Ernie Barnes’ (1938–2009) painting The Sugar
Shack is no doubt instantly familiar. The 1976 work depicting a dance
scene—which was the cover art for Marvin Gaye’s album I Want You—achieved
cult status…”
Ernie Barnes: A Retrospective
Until September 8, 2019
California
African American Museum: CAAM
Exposition Park, Los Angeles,
California
(Image: The Sugar Shack (1976) Acrylic on canvas)
by Sandy | Apr 1, 2019 | Art, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
If you missed it
when it was at MoMA / NYC, LACMA (Los
Angeles County Museum of Art) is presenting
this important Charles White (1918-1979) exhibit from Feb 17 thru June 9, 2019.
“The
exhibition includes approximately 100 drawings and prints along with
lesser-known oil paintings. A superb draftsman, White focused on images of both
historical and contemporary African Americans, depicted in ideal portraits and
everyday scenes. He extolled their dignity, humanity, and heroism in the face
of the country’s long history of racial injustice and encouraged his viewers
and fellow artists of color to project their own self-worth.”
“Charles White: A Retrospective” * 2/17/19 – 6/9/19
LACMA/
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
FYI: Charles White and the Contemporary (March 6–August 25, 2018) will be presented at the California African American Museum
by Sandy | Jul 13, 2018 | Blogroll, Books, Culture, Education, Learning
The Harlem Book Fair is celebrating its 20th anniversary with spoken word events, exhibit booths, music, panel discussions and children’s activities. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday in the city.
“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local
and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy
awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American
literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment,
and community cooperation. “
Saturday, July 21, 2018 * 10 AM – 6 PM
West 135th Street (Betw. Malcolm X Boulevard &
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard) Harlem, NY
by Sandy | Jul 10, 2017 | Blogroll, Books, Culture, Education, Events, Exhibits
On Saturday, 7/15/17, there will be spoken word events, over 200 exhibit booths, music, panel discussions and children’s activities will be on hand at the Harlem Book Fair. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday in the city.
“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local
and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy
awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American
literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment,
and community cooperation. “
19th Annual Harlem Book Fair
Saturday, July 15, 2017 – 10 AM – 6 PM
SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE
515 Lenox Avenue, West 135th Street,, NYC
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