Wednesday, April 14, 2010

MoAD and Mexico



This year began with painting a third mural for the Museum of the African Diaspora. Collaborating with Joaquin Newman, we painted a map of the African diaspora for the current exhibition African Continuum: Sacred Ceremonies and Rituals , composed of photographs by Bryan Wiley accompanied by altars created by Dowoti Désir. Media artist Miguel Osorio designed the map and a companion book about the photo project. The MoAD project reconnected Joaquin and Miguel, who knew each other earlier in their careers. MoAD connects people in this personal way but also through shared cultural histories. Thanks to writer and educator Miriam de Uriarte, I visited the Alhóndiga de Granaditas in Guanajuato to view the mural by José Chávez Morado dedicated to the abolition of slavery in Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810. The mural relates to MoAD’s Slave Narratives exhibition. At the end of 2009, I painted my second mural for MoAD, a re-interpretation of Romare Bearden’s The Street (Composition for Richard Wright). Between the MoAD projects Joaquin and I painted and installed a mural for the Family Resource and Education Center in Oakland. This model program serves the East Oakland community.

Last year the Bekris Gallery opened at 49 Geary. Dedicated to showcasing contemporary African artists, it’s a unique and impressive gallery in San Francisco. The Bay Area is fortunate to have a venue for rarely seen contemporary work from Africa. Check it out! My enthusiasm for the gallery prompted a collaboration with gallery owner Cynthia Plevin and muralist Raymond Patlán to introduce South African artist Bruce Clarke to visual art students at the California College of Art in December 2009.

I contributed to Alameda on Camera exhibition on view at the Frank Bette Art Center until May 1, 2010. My contribution this year was spontaneous historical re-photographing of streets and houses on the island. With a temporary loan from the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association archives, my photographs of Encinal Avenue can be compared to Encinal Avenue approximately 100 years earlier during the first days of electric train service and 70 years ago in the final days as that same rail service was shut down. Finally I also participated in the Photo Alliance portfolio review, March 12-14, 2010. I received much-needed strokes for my efforts and insightful challenges from the professional photography community. I highly recommend the annual review to those that want collegial wake-ups and affirmation of good work.

At the end of April, I will lead a mural by the Aqua Team, a program of Earth Team Environmental Network. These young environmentalists at Richmond High School learn about environmental stewardship and use visual art to encourage us to take responsibility for the shared environment. The Spawners, along with Earth Team and the Contra Costa County Library sponsor the mural. Take a moment to view the mural at the El Sobrante Public Library. Then view the San Pablo creek currently under restoration at this site. It is energizing to work with a new generation of ambitious youth in Contra Costa County! Stay Creative! Stay Engaged!