Vital Contributions
I Am . . . Contemporary Women Artists of Africa
Monologue
As I look back
by Rielle Bernard
as I look back at the art
the colors I see
start to pop back out at me
the blues
the yellows
the browns
the pinks
the whites
the colors that take flight
mean so much to me.
the remembrance of how hard we worked
to obtain freedom
in our little kingdom.
as we remember our queens and kings that helped free us.
from working hard in the fields to making deals
we did it
we pushed through.
so the end of the story
but not yet glory
b. 1973, Malawi
Constant Gardener
2014
Dupion silk and synthetic thread
Textile: 138.4 × 106 cm (54 1/2 × 41 3/4 in.)
Purchased with funds provided by the Annie Laurie Aitken Endowment, 2017-11-1
Whispers of the Past
Caravans of Gold Fragments in Time-Art, Culture, and Exchange Across Medieval Saharan Africa
A to Z Poetry
by Malachi Sweet
African beauty contains different elements.
featuring great heritage, independence jewels.
Kings, leaders, men.
Native oppressed Professors.
Queens, royalty, Senators.
Talent unmatched.
Vibrant warriors, xeroxed, young zestful.
by Hannah A Dorval
Abandoned beauty curates destiny
Emerging from gold hides immense joy
Kindle lost meanings
Narrate opalescent paragraphs
Quietly reflects solemn thoughts
Under violent war
Xenia yields zealousness
Biconical bead
19th to early 20th century C.E.
Gilded silver
The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI, Founders Society Purchase, Eleanor Clay Ford Fund for African Art, 77.10
Ebb and Flow
Currents: Water in African Art
Haiku
by Hannah A Dorval
1.
Vivid and vibrant
Show great sacrifice and strength
Victory is won
2.
Symbolically
Brown Ripples depict vast strength
Fish and snake touch hearts
3.
Purpose stays Unknown
Boats show trade and travel too
A new life begins
4. Freedom rings through sea
boats tour in purposeful search
of innovation
5.
Art tells narrative
Threads commend liberation
Flatter sandy grains
Mask
Mid-20th century
Wood, paint
Bequest of Eliot Elisofon, 73-7-167
The Hero Within
Heroes: Principles of African Greatness
Dream Journaling
My Mother’s Voice
by Anonymous
Calling, yelling, screaming to me
But outside is where my joy resides
And being free lies within me.
Home is where I lay my head, to keep me safe warm and fed.
My mother’s tone is unique,
Very stern but also serene.
As nighttime approaches and the streets are scarce
When I run back to my safe space, my mother’s voice will be right there.
b. 1958, Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria
Works in London
Small Iriabo (Clapping Girl)
1987
Steel, wood, paint, motor
Museum purchase, 97-5-1
