Coming soon: "Locally Sourced"
If you've never been to the Pacific Northwest, this "Portlandia" sketch will give you a (slightly exaggerated) taste of the obsession over 'local origins.'
What -- and who -- qualifies as "local?" That's the Big Question behind our exhibit at the Columbia City Gallery.
All four contributing artists are women of color who've lived here for a long time: Carletta Carrington Wilson, Bernadette Merikle, Susan Ringstad Emery and me. I think of us all as local, as familiar as coffee in Seattle. But you know how people talk about coffee here: like it's some rare, exotic thing seen only once in a blue moon.
Not surprising, then, that a coffee-related marketing blurb encapsulated that paradox, which I wanted to convey in my collages: "Rare & Exquisite."
Each of us artists has a different take on being local. Carletta's textile work speaks to migrations through time and space. Bernadette imagines her ancestors deciding the question of local origins. And Susan, who calls herself an urban Iñupiat, considers Native (and "native") Seattle icons. Come see for yourself: the opening reception for "Locally Sourced" is May 19th at 5pm PST. Hope to see you in a few hours!
Museum exhibit in five... four...
It's the final countdown: the last week before I present You're Not From Around Here, Are You? at the Northwest African American Museum!
I've transported the art (three trips, man!) from my studio to NAAM...
... and I'm just finishing up the last pieces.
THIS is the big deal I've been working on in semi-secret: The Great Mystery Project. You're Not From Around Here, Are You? is my exploration of African American identity in the Pacific Northwest. If you're within driving distance of Seattle, I'd be so honored if you'd join me for the opening reception on November 4th! Details:
We're also planning an artist talk and more events related to You're Not From Around Here, Are You? These will occur in the months to come, so watch this space for more news. Hope to see you at the reception!
New art: "Was It Something I Said?"
Hey, I'm back! And I brought some new artwork with me.
This collage put me through the emotional wringer, even though the concept came fairly quickly. Remember the inspiration for this collage?
Looking at this picture is like trying to watch three TV screens at once. Remembering that moment, I'm pretty sure my mom was just chilly and impatient to get back into the warm car. But now I also see uncertainty in her face.
She grew up surrounded by other African Americans in the (segregated) South. You could tell because when she said the letter R, it had two syllables.
I grew up in a southern California neighborhood that had only three other black families. All of them lived on the other side of the street -- the side without a view of the city. (I later learned this was a discriminatory realtor trick my mom recognized, and she insisted on the view.)
When I moved to Seattle, my accent didn't set me apart, but I did feel an isolation similar to hers. It's called "the Seattle Freeze," and I couldn't find a way into a social circle until another California transplant made it her mission to bring me in from the cold.
My friend reassured me I wasn't coming on too strong when trying to meet new people. It was just... Seattle. That's why I titled this piece "Was It Something I Said?"
This collage is for those who've faced a frosty group and struggled to find a place for themselves.