On Sept. 16, the exhibition, Art in the Age of Blackness, will open at Calabar Gallery, in the Garment District at 306 West 38th St., Suite 602, New York, NY 10018.
It features artists whose works speak about identity and politics. It is curated by Atim Annette Oton, lead curator at Calabar Gallery.
Participating artists are Rosy Petri (from Milwaukee, WI), Winfred Nana Amoah (from Ghana), Donchellee Fulwood (from New Jersey), Dele Jegede (from Nigeria), Sika Foyer (from Togo), Mulenga J. Mulenga (from Zambia) and P. Wamaitha Ng’ang’a (from Kenya, based in London, England).
In her work, Petri brings together printmaking, photography, and multimedia storytelling, to create works centered on Black history, music, and culture.
In his work, Amoah explores personal identities and community belonging, particularly in the contemporary Ghanaian context. He uses materials such as plastics, textiles, used credit cards, research articles, newspapers, as well as acrylic paint on a canvas.
Fulwood uses acrylic paints on both canvas and basswood surfaces in her work, as well as ink on paper. Additionally, in her work, Fulwood looks back to the flow of lines that she has drawn in her sketchbook, selecting different techniques for her paintings. This process helps her express her personality and her creativity through unique styles of abstract patterns and blocks of color.
With his work, Jegede draws inspiration from the political, economic, and socio-cultural incongruities that constantly assail our collective decency.
Foyer creates sculptural structures and objects that engage the imagination and induce conversation. Using found and discarded materials, her visual art is performance on display, re-imagining a space where painting and sculpture could merge into that which, like a living entity, will interact with the viewer.
Mulenga creates works of abstract art that is inspired by the environment and also her personal experiences.
Using mixed media and photography, Wamaitha creates works that confront contemporary issues on women and children rights, social, political and environmental issues and cultural identity. In addition, she works with self-portraiture in the realm of art therapy and symbolism communication, exploring the interconnections of nature, spirituality and healing.
This exhibition will be on view until Oct. 29. Those who are interested in attending can register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-in-the-age-of-blackness-a-group-show-at-calabar-gallery-on-38th-street-tickets-701166165877
