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As a visual artist, most of my art is based on a narrative aesthetic. My internal cultural perspective stems from the African-Caribbean experience, and has evolved to incorporate a vantage point that acknowledges, the ancestral place of knowing in the language of Vodou. This is the cosmic axis of poteau mitan and the point of inspiration where self and spirit are one. I begin from this place and this thought, to allow for a greater openness to unspoken truths, beyond the domain of conventional history and the established narratives.
This focus, continues to evolve, as I explore theories and alternative frames of reference associated with aesthetics and the construction of art histories. More often then not, I find that this focus guides or helps to articulate my core value system and is reflected in my paintings. I view my art as an attempt to capture something of the sublime between nature and culture, as well as the expressions of spirituality, which are abstractions of culture.
Occasionally, my focus on the figurative aspects in art stems from a desire to bear witness to the history, vitality and complexity of African Diaspora cultures. I tell a story through images that capture simple everyday moments. The images and the people are real, although forever changed by the continuing legacy of colonialism.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT
Art in Embassies Program
Maputo, Mozambique 2001-2003
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
MFA Exhibition
Reverberations in Time
CIIS Minna Street Center 2009
Mojito Restaurant
San Francisco, CA 2007
Thelma Harris Gallery
Oakland, CA 1998
Grand Oak Gallery
Oakland, CA 1989
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Museum of the African Diaspora
MoAD Stories Project
Shelter from the Storm
International Museum of Women
Women Power and Politics
Online Global Exhibition
March - September 2009
http://www.imow.org/community/stories/viewStory?storyId=2987
Sacramento Central Public Library
Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
Freedom's Sisters
October 25 - January 4th 2009
African American Museum & Library
Oakland, CA 2008
Project Artaud
San Francisco, CA 2008
Oakland Museum
African-American Rhythms
On & Off Canvas 2008
Mills College
Oakland, CA 2007
Fetterly Gallery
Vallejo, CA 2006
San Pablo Art Gallery
San Pablo, CA 2006
PCOG Gallery
New York, NY 2004
Prescott Center
Oakland, CA 2004
Art of Living Black
Richmond, CA 2004
Variety Preview Room
San Francisco, CA 2004
Limner Gallery
New York, NY 2003
Sargent Johnson Gallery
San Francisco, CA 2003
ProArts
Oakland, CA 2003
Mission Cultural Center
San Francisco, CA 2003, 2002
African American Historical Society
Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 2003
CBS MarketWatch
San Francisco, CA 2003, 2002
Richmond Art Center
Richmond, CA 2003, 2002, 2001
Danville Fine Art Gallery
Danville, CA 2002
California Institute for Integral Studies
San Francisco, CA 2002
Chi Gallery
Oakland, CA 2001
Artship Project
Oakland, CA 2001
The Art of Living Black Traveling Exhibit
Aspect Communications
3Com Corp.
Synopsis Inc. 2001
Art Quest
Fort Smith Convention Center
Fort Smith, AR 2001
Chi Gallery
Oakland, CA 2000
JM Gallery
New York, NY 2000
All Media Exhibition
Touchstone Gallery / Merit Award
Washington, DC 1999
Fine Arts Institute
San Bernardino County Museum
Redlands, CA 1998
1998 Annual Fine Art Competition
Redding Museum of Art and History
Redding, CA 1998
"An Homage to Inspiration"
Danville Fine Arts Gallery
Danville, CA 1998
Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, IL 1998
McKesson Corporate Headquarters
San Francisco, CA 1996
Wilkes Bashford
San Francisco, CA 1995
Family Album
509 Cultural Center
San Francisco, CA 1994
African American Artists of California
Gallery Theatre
San Bruno, CA 1994
3 Com Corporation
Santa Clara, CA 1993
Bomani Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1992
Live Oak Gallery
Berkeley, CA 1988
Sargent Johnson Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1987
San Francisco Arts Commission Festival
San Francisco, CA 1985
Bay Area Women Artists
TransPacific Centre
Oakland. CA 1985
Black Women in the Visual Arts
La Pena Cultural Center
Oakland, CA 1984
Vida Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1982
Vida Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1981
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Art Fundamentals & Mural Instructor
Summer Youth Employment
Program 2009
Curator
AfroSolo Juneteenth
SF City Hall 2009
Art Teacher
Bayhill High School 2009
Art Teacher
Richmond High School 2008
Art Juror
The Art of Living Black 2007
Art Consultant
African American Museum & Library
Coalition 2008-2006
Art Consultant
Resources for Community Development
Berkeley, CA 2001
Guest Speaker
KPFA 91.7 FM
"Caribbean Crossroads"
Berkeley, CA 1998
Film Juror
S.F. Film Festival 1995 - 1999
Photographer
Book of Black Heroes, Vol.ll
Angela Davis 1991
Guest Lecturer
S.F. State University
"Visual Expression and Identity" 1991
Guest Lecturer
S.F. State University
"Feminist Perspectives in the Arts" 1990
Curator
Sargent Johnson Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1989
Art Teacher
Richmond Unified School District
Richmond, CA 1988
Artistic Consultant
The Women's Foundation
of San Francisco 1987
Art Director
Brava! For Women in the Arts
San Francisco, CA 1987
Art Juror
Vida Gallery
San Francisco, CA 1985
EDUCATION
CIIS
MFA in Critical Inquiry/ Interdisciplinary Studies
2009
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. in Psychology/Women's Studies
Honor Student 1977
SELECTED ART COLLECTIONS
Asake Bomani Glover
Fort Smith Arkansas Convention Center
Terry Gardner
Ethnic Gold
Shirley Leonard
Carolyn Tyler
Alfre Woodard
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