From Songhai to Symphony Hall

Available exclusively through Black Art In America/SHOP BAIA ONLINE/BUY BLACK ART dealer.
This Plastic Space abstraction was created for an art exhibition at the Hammonds House Museum in Atlanta, Georgia that reflects musical instruments from the Songhai people of Africa to modern instruments of today used in the symphony hall. The legacy of music and creative arts is rendered in this Plastic Space abstraction highlighting the importance of music to the relationship of other cultural arts like sculpture and textiles swirling together into a moving breathing entity. I first did a lot of research on ancient African musical instruments to gather images that work within my musical paintings. By sketching out the idea with graphite on paper, I work the design until it has balance and interest. Sometimes this process can take weeks or months until I feel ready to paint. Then I transfer it to canvas where I begin to add color with oils. This is the challenging part and often it takes a life of it's own and can go beyond the original sketch. This process takes time and concentration to complete and can last weeks, months, or in some cases, years. The final product can be a rewarding surprise.