EXHIBITIONS
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Featuring works by:
Adebunmi Gbadebo, Ibou Ndoye, Kimberly Becoat, Shoshanna Weinberger, Theda Sandiford
Adebunmi Gbadebo, Ibou Ndoye, Kimberly Becoat, Shoshanna Weinberger, Theda Sandiford
Opening Reception:
5/23/19 Thurs, 6-9p
Gallery Hours:
Thurs/Fri, 5-8p, Sat/Sun, 1-6p
Artists Talks:
6/22/19 Sat: Kimberly Becoat, Ibou Ndoye and Shoshanna Weinberger
6/23/19 Sun: Adebunmi Gbadebo and Theda Sandiford
Artists Workshops:
6/23/19 Sun: Theda Sandiford
“Let Me Tell You a Story”, 5/23/19 - 6/23/19, presents five artists: Adebunmi Gbadebo, Ibou Ndoye, Kimberly Becoat, Shoshanna Weinberger and Theda Sandiford, whose works celebrate Black culture. Drawing from their rich and varied experiences, these artists explore historic and contemporary issues of race, gender and identity that African-American, Caribbean-American and mixed race cultures deal with. In these artists’ materials, scale, imagery and message, they proclaim their lives while exposing topics important to the lives of the communities with which they identify. Curated by Anne Trauben.
There are many reasons artists make art and many purposes works of art can serve. Artists may make art for pleasure or to create a sense of beauty. They may also make art about art itself, work within abstraction, explore the nature of perception or things of a personal nature. Art can also be narrative by communicating ideas of a political, spiritual, or philosophical nature while seeking to educate, generate understanding, compassion, or strong emotions. In communicating ideas, art has the power to present viewpoints that others may not be familiar with and, when viewed, broaden one’s worldview, narrow the gaps between people, create connections, compassion and possibly, change.
Drawing Rooms is excited the artists of “Let Me Tell You A Story” will have an opportunity to give their ideas and voices a platform. We hope that as a result of the exhibit, real dialogue happens, especially during the Artists Talks and Workshops when the artists will discuss their works and viewers can ask questions so they can learn more. We hope people will say, ‘I now understand your experience better. We have more in common than I was aware of’. Or, ‘Your experience is completely foreign to me— It’s important to learn more about it’.
Adebunmi Gbadebo makes her art with human hair from people of the African Diaspora. She says, “Our hair is so connected to our culture, politics, and history. It is history, DNA. “
Ibrahima Ndoye, commonly known as "Ibou”, grew up as the oldest child of a family of four boys in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal. He came to the US in his early 20’s. Ibou's mother made her living as a dressmaker while his grandmother worked as a tie-dye artist. Regularly surrounded by colorful African textiles and fabrics, it is not surprising that Ibou ‘socialized with art and cohabited with colors’ from a very young age. Ibou’s works are joyful and reflect colorful stories of the country from which he came.
Kimberly Becoat’s “Urban Hottentot” series focuses on male perceptions of Black women. She challenges the view of women as ‘body parts’ or what she refers to as ‘dissected beings’ as opposed to ‘whole’ individuals. Her work confronts the viewer with what is forbidden and considered tradition, as passed down through ‘enslaved conditions’. She asks us to consider how language frames these actions within the gender power structure.
Shoshanna Weinberger’s works explore her Caribbean-American heritage, the consequential implications and experiences of racial identity, and external perception of racial categorization.
Of Theda Sandiford’s “I Am My Hair” series, she says ‘In all its glory, my hair is reflective of my identity. Natural, braided, beaded, wrapped or straight, there is mystery hidden in my hair’. Theda’s work creates a bridge on which to meet viewers whose hair is different from hers. Of her ‘Big Mouth’ series, she says ‘In the past I would dim my light; and from that warm and uncomfortable place - I’d stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh’.
Read Peter Delman's review of the exhibit on Nieuw Art Blog.
5/23/19 Thurs, 6-9p
Gallery Hours:
Thurs/Fri, 5-8p, Sat/Sun, 1-6p
Artists Talks:
6/22/19 Sat: Kimberly Becoat, Ibou Ndoye and Shoshanna Weinberger
6/23/19 Sun: Adebunmi Gbadebo and Theda Sandiford
Artists Workshops:
6/23/19 Sun: Theda Sandiford
“Let Me Tell You a Story”, 5/23/19 - 6/23/19, presents five artists: Adebunmi Gbadebo, Ibou Ndoye, Kimberly Becoat, Shoshanna Weinberger and Theda Sandiford, whose works celebrate Black culture. Drawing from their rich and varied experiences, these artists explore historic and contemporary issues of race, gender and identity that African-American, Caribbean-American and mixed race cultures deal with. In these artists’ materials, scale, imagery and message, they proclaim their lives while exposing topics important to the lives of the communities with which they identify. Curated by Anne Trauben.
There are many reasons artists make art and many purposes works of art can serve. Artists may make art for pleasure or to create a sense of beauty. They may also make art about art itself, work within abstraction, explore the nature of perception or things of a personal nature. Art can also be narrative by communicating ideas of a political, spiritual, or philosophical nature while seeking to educate, generate understanding, compassion, or strong emotions. In communicating ideas, art has the power to present viewpoints that others may not be familiar with and, when viewed, broaden one’s worldview, narrow the gaps between people, create connections, compassion and possibly, change.
Drawing Rooms is excited the artists of “Let Me Tell You A Story” will have an opportunity to give their ideas and voices a platform. We hope that as a result of the exhibit, real dialogue happens, especially during the Artists Talks and Workshops when the artists will discuss their works and viewers can ask questions so they can learn more. We hope people will say, ‘I now understand your experience better. We have more in common than I was aware of’. Or, ‘Your experience is completely foreign to me— It’s important to learn more about it’.
Adebunmi Gbadebo makes her art with human hair from people of the African Diaspora. She says, “Our hair is so connected to our culture, politics, and history. It is history, DNA. “
Ibrahima Ndoye, commonly known as "Ibou”, grew up as the oldest child of a family of four boys in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal. He came to the US in his early 20’s. Ibou's mother made her living as a dressmaker while his grandmother worked as a tie-dye artist. Regularly surrounded by colorful African textiles and fabrics, it is not surprising that Ibou ‘socialized with art and cohabited with colors’ from a very young age. Ibou’s works are joyful and reflect colorful stories of the country from which he came.
Kimberly Becoat’s “Urban Hottentot” series focuses on male perceptions of Black women. She challenges the view of women as ‘body parts’ or what she refers to as ‘dissected beings’ as opposed to ‘whole’ individuals. Her work confronts the viewer with what is forbidden and considered tradition, as passed down through ‘enslaved conditions’. She asks us to consider how language frames these actions within the gender power structure.
Shoshanna Weinberger’s works explore her Caribbean-American heritage, the consequential implications and experiences of racial identity, and external perception of racial categorization.
Of Theda Sandiford’s “I Am My Hair” series, she says ‘In all its glory, my hair is reflective of my identity. Natural, braided, beaded, wrapped or straight, there is mystery hidden in my hair’. Theda’s work creates a bridge on which to meet viewers whose hair is different from hers. Of her ‘Big Mouth’ series, she says ‘In the past I would dim my light; and from that warm and uncomfortable place - I’d stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh’.
Read Peter Delman's review of the exhibit on Nieuw Art Blog.
