Vibrant Textures: Community and Spirit

Candy's colorful collages show the collective relationships between friends, families, and neighbors in a Caribbean setting. A daughter of a dressmaker and a dancer, Candy proliferates her pieces with the patterns, colors, and vibrancy of her youth, as well as the movement and rhythm of her career path. Her subjects dance, share stories, and enjoy the beach together in bright, textured layers. The drumbeats and percussion practically spring forth from Shekere with Bey and Siychi. A communal spirit emanates from the canvas and the social liveliness lends to a dynamic energy throughout her work.

Margaret Rose Vendryes takes a different approach in her nostalgic gaze at historical traditions. Basing her pieces on record covers featuring popular female African-American singers, Vendryes places traditional African masks on her subjects, creating a stimulating juxtaposition between the present and the past. Colorful patterns drape the women, and they are surrounded by significant lyrics and phrases carved into the canvas's paint. As the artist explains, "In Africa, masks (many depicting powerful female deities or ancestors) are danced almost exclusively by men. I give these dynamic female performers agency and protection replacing their psychological mask with a literal one." Dyula Nina, in her richly vivid floral garments, counteracts the stoic and geometric countenance of her mask. Anang Tammi's mask begins to blend into her head and take on a transcendent visage, presenting a strong image of female empowerment and gravitas.

In his 1970's work, Dwight Carter, a prolific commercial artist who has photographed many notable African American personalities, including Dr. Maya Angelou, focused his attention on the inner workings of his subjects. His Cowboys series is reminiscent of his attempt to draw the soul out of his compositions. The stoic, yet independent, character of The Cowboy archetype is fully presented in this selection, even while twisting the typical preconception by only featuring African Americans. Yet, the emotions, history, and journeys of these men can be perceived through their eyes and expression, despite their overtly masculine and tough stances. As per Carter, "I'm always sensitive to the inner truth of the subject, the spirit inside and the beauty that reaches beyond the surface."

From woven cloths and colors mirroring the many-layered histories of a community, to the enduring and independent individual personalities projecting their own personal brand of majesty, the accompanying pieces offer a diverse array of perspectives. The beauty and spirit inside Vibrant Texture: Community and Spirit shines through, and bring the viewer through a rhythmic and dazzling vision, mixing tradition, history, and soul into contemporary narratives.