Love for Local Artists
One of my favorite things to do is to visit local galleries and artists' studios in search of paintings, sculptures, photography, and prints to add to my ever expanding art collection. Every collector has his/her own methodology of collecting and acquiring works of art that satisfy his/her preferred aesthetic. Over time, I always seem to gravitate to works of art that feature the beauty, grace, and elegance of the black body, specifically the black woman. What I see in such works is pretty obvious, I see myself. A reflection of who I am as a mother, daughter, friend and partner, of my joy, my pain, my self-esteem, my self-love, my very being. I've had countless conversations with friends and colleagues about representation of the black body in museum collections, exhibitions, and public spaces, where it is often difficult to see us, black people, and especially the black women. More recently, the presence of the black body, the stories of our history, and our very existence has been under attack through the removal of visual arts and material culture from spaces where our stories were told. No matter the efforts being made to erase our history, the legacy of who we are and what we represent can never fade into darkness.
I'm thankful for artists Kerry James Marshall, Kara Walker, Amy Sherald, Alison Saar, Lorna Simpson, Vanessa German, Nona Faustine, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Glenn Ligon, Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomson and many others who show up and show out. From painting portraits of the Obamas to exposing the history of the enslavement of black bodies through the lens of a camera, they bring us into spaces often reserved for "others." They show the world the history of our people, beauty of our existence, and the style of our culture. None of which can be denied.
In addition to established artists, I'm grateful for rising artists who are bringing their gift to the cannon of great works. Local DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) artist like Alexis Janay depicts the realness, the sassiness, the soul of black women with boldness, vibrancy, and above all, love.
I charge you to support a local artist this upcoming gift giving season. Give the gift of art!
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