Sat 8/15 @ 1-2:30PM
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve’s current exhibit The Ardent Thread, which opened July 16 and runs through September 5, features the work of nine regional artists whose work is fiber-based, including weaving, quilting, embroidery, papermaking, assemblage and mixed-media pieces.
This type of art has a long, deep history in the African-American community, a topic Cynthia Lockhart, one of the artists in the show, will address in a virtual Zoo program on “The Legacy of African-American Textile Art” in a 45-minute lecture. She’ll cover such noted artists as Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden and Sam Gilliam, in addition to talking about her own work, talking about how they’re influenced by their cultural background and the political events and social structures that impact them.
The retired University of Cincinnati professor, whose vividly colored work is influenced by African arts, fashion, nature, music, dance and more, says in the event press release, “Perhaps more than any other art form, textiles reflect the pulse of the African American Culture. Symbolism of the cloth has been one of our connections to our African roots.”
She adds “I can only imagine where we would we be as a people of color, if somebody had just taken their knee off the necks of my ancestors. I pray and believe as we go forward that all Americans, and people all over the world would stand together and work for justice and liberty for all. Black Lives Matter.”
Register for the free event here.
Cleveland, OH 44106