Continuing the Art of Play
April 28, 2021
Artist: Bisa Butler
Join Zoom Meeting / Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87618016665
In my work I am telling the story— this African American side— of the American life.History is the story of men and women, but the narrative is controlled by those who hold the pen.
My community has been marginalized for hundreds of years. While have been right beside our white counterparts experiencing and creating history, our contributions and perspectives have been ignored, unrecorded and lost. It is only a few years ago that it was acknowledges that the White house was built by slaves. Right there in the seat of power of our country African Americans were creating and contributing while their names were lost to history.
My subjects are African Americans from ordinary walks of life who may have sat for a formal family portrait or may have been documented by a passing photographer. Like the builders of the White House, they have no names or captions to tell us who they were.
Context:
Bisa Butler uses color and pattern to create extraordinary large-scale artwork of African American figures.
Warm-up:
We will create pattern backgrounds for our final project. You may use paint, markers, colored pencils, printed papers, or fabric.
In addition, please bring to class a photograph/image of a figure or face to use for the final project.
You may search magazines, internet pictures, or a photo of yourself or another person/persons.
Project:
During the project time, you will use the image(s) of a figure or face you brought and create your own piece inspired by Butler's quilted portraits.
You might paint directly on top of the image or lay down other patterns on the image.
You may want to express a message or simply play with pattern and color as you build your final piece.
The artist Bisa Butler photographed in front of “The Warmth of Other Sons” (2020), one of her recent pieces exhibited at the Claire Oliver gallery in Harlem.Credit...Gioncarlo Valentine for The New York Times
I'm Not your Negro, 2019
Cotton, silk, wool and velvet quilting and applique 79” x 60” Private collection photo by The Claire Oliver gallery
The Mighty Gents, 2018
67” x 78” cotton, silk, wool and velvet quilting and applique The Beth DeWoody Collection photo by The Claire Oliver Gallery
Time Magazine Wangari Maathai, 2020
cotton, silk, wool and velvet quilted and applique
The Princess, 2018
46” x 70” cotton, silk, quilting and applique private collection photo by The Claire Oliver Gallery
Anaya With Oranges, 2018
Cotton, silk, wool,and tulle quilting and applique 36” x 20” Private collection
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, 2019
Cotton, silk, wool and velvet quilting and applique 50” x 129” Minneapolis Museum of Art
Southside Sunday, 2018
Cotton, wool, silk chiffon, silk organza applique and quilting 73” x 109” private collection photo by The Claire Oliver gallery
Three Kings, 2020
95” x 72” cotton, silk, wool and velvet quilting and applique 21c Museum Hotels collection photo by the Claire Oliver Gallery
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