Bay Area and Mali Projects

Welcome back to Storytelling Walls! In September, I co-curated the online exhibition “Centripetal Heart” at the ODCAP Gallery. My original photographs (including “Passengers 2”) compose the show. In October, the Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco commissioned me to paint a mural for the education area on the second floor of the museum. What a pleasure to return to MoAD, a year later, and contribute my artistry! The mural is painted in conjunction with the Hewitt Collection of African American Art exhibition. I encourage all to see this important exhibition. The mural is an enlargement of "The Street (Composition for Richard Wright),” c. 1977, by famed artist Romare Bearden. The original ink drawing is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. This January 2009, through the invitation of the Global Alliance to Immunize Against AIDS Vaccine Foundation (GAIA VF), I will paint a permanent mural on the grounds of the Centre D’Espoir/Hope Center Clinic in the Sikoro village of greater Bamako, Mali. The mural will reflect the hope and aspirations of the Malian and international health experts as they share life-saving knowledge with the Bamako community. The clinic serves a community affected by AIDS and other serve illnesses. The practice of health professionals is an inspiration to me. I want to express their vital outlook and honor the work at the clinic. My daughter Teresa Pineda will assist in the creation of the mural! If possible we will post our progress during the month, and report on the project when we return. Until my next addition – stay creative, stay engaged!