Expressions of Strength at The Box Gallery
Strength is not muscle, not raw power. It reveals itself through vulnerability, struggle, love, introspection and in responses to expectation and oppression. “Expressions of Strength: Diverse Creations by African American Women Artists” displays interpretations of strength from 15 artists, each a member of the African American Artist Collective (AAAC).
Artists were invited to create new, small-scale works inspired by the poetry of AAAC advisor and prolific writer Sonia Sanchez, PhD. Common threads run through the exhibition, evident through aspects of shared identity and Sanchez’ poetry. However, as Anita Easterwood’s stunning graphite and African batik “high/yellow/black/girl” emphasizes, “Nothing is monolithic about being a Black woman.” Each artist lends their personal interpretations, aesthetics and varied mediums to make the overall impact of “Expressions of Strength” both cohesive and distinct.
Vulnerability and introspection are evident throughout. Clarissa Knighten’s mixed media “Secrets of the Sea” coils metal around smoothed shells against a black background. It is a pensive look at what lurks inside the ocean and ourselves, referencing intricacies of depression, which Knighten describes in her artist statement as “elegance and clarity” as well as “overwhelming and all-consuming.” Thompson-Ruffin stitches together abstract expressions of Blackness and womanhood in her textile “What is a Woman,” giving a unique visual quality to Sanchez’ vivid text. It is galactic and otherworldly, illustrating that what a woman is cannot be easily defined.
Two artists take a royal lens to home in on the struggles and strengths of Black womanhood. Cartoonist Arie Monroe brings a fantastical tale of oppression, encouragement and revenge to life in “Long Live the King.” Toni Gates’ series of four queens sheds a light on the immense responsibilities of being an African American woman. “We are the collective Mother, creating and nurturing new life, justice, freedom and equality,” she says in her artist statement. “We are the gatekeepers of hope.” The pieces have an inherent levity that accentuates the hope beneath the pressure.
Love is the subject of strength for other participating artists. Janine Carter’s “She Smelled the Roses” is a poignant look at generations of women and what it means to take a moment away from, as her artist statement says, “the stress, the labels and the expectations put on her by the world.” Remy Wharry’s “Dripped in Love” radiates warmth from the multifaceted nature of love — love of self, love of a child and love of a partner. The touches are soft in these digital art pieces, as are the smiles and the sense of deep contentment that emanates from them.
Femininity is a recurring theme throughout the exhibition. Michelle M. Beasley’s “Sway” is an ode to its power, depicting intricate heels and how they both literally and figuratively boost the wearer. Crissi Curly’s “I am every Woman” stands out for the exquisite detail she puts into depicting natural hair. As her artist statement explains, “My work captures the diversity and versatility of natural hair, showcasing its beauty in all its forms — from tightly coiled curls to loose waves, from afros to braids and twists.” In these four pencil and pen pieces, Curly has endowed the head of each woman with incredible texture and realism. In “See Me,” Kim Alexis Newton uses fused Indonesian batik to form intricately patterned faces of different shades of Black women. The work has a soft sensuality, focusing on the line in Sanchez’ poem, soft/black/woman.” Pieces of the women’s faces are cut out, asking viewers to question how well they can actually see a woman.
Though The Box Gallery and the works themselves are small, there is much to see, feel and interpret in “Expressions of Strength.” Merging the poetry of such an influential African American writer as Sanchez with the multi-talented featured artists provides viewers with a powerful, introspective experience. As Thompson-Ruffin said, “When you have an opportunity to present in this manner with a poet of that caliber, it allows you to take a real good look inward. The works don’t have to be large because the words oftentimes speak to what that visual actually is.”
Also on view are works by NedRa Patton Bonds, Ramona E. Davis, Phyllis Graham, Sherry Mirador and Lisa Shepard Stewart.
“Expressions of Strength: Diverse Creations by African American Women Artists” continues at The Box Gallery, 1000 Walnut St., through Nov. 1. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. For more information, www.theboxgallery.org.
