Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Spirituality
Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Traditions Multi-media Exhibition
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is pleased to present “Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Traditions” a multi-media exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, textile art, video and installations honoring the power of the Feminine present in African Sacred Traditions.
While African Sacred Traditions exist within a context of gender duality of masculine/feminine, this exhibition specifically explores the complex fabric of female personalities in indigenous African spirituality. Work in the exhibition captures the essence and power of the female deities, priestesses, and prophets that have served as instruments of balance and grounding within indigenous African spiritual systems and their derivatives.
Artists attempt to answer such questions as: Who are the gatekeepers of the spirit and physical realms? Who are the most prominent female divinities? What are the roles of female priestesses and prophets in a contemporary context? How is feminine energy shaping the future of these traditions?
This show is an awe-inspiring reflection of the universal essence that is cosmically feminine. It also highlights the traditional West African systems of Akan, Vodun and Yoruba and their Diasporan counteparts along with other rituals and rites-of-passage ceremonies.
In 2010, people are still being persecuted for their devotion to these indigineous belief systems. Most recently, there are reports of Haitian earthquake survivors being denied food and assistance as well as having their temples and altars desecrated and destroyed by evangelical Christians, simply for their practice of Vodun. Additionally, there needs to be a resurgence of earth-based practices during times of environmental disintegration. These traditions must be preserved and celebrated and this exhibition further educates the general masses to the cosmic energy that is Feminine and Sacred.
On View:
March 12 – May 21, 2010
Featuring the Work of:
Elen K. Awalom
Ama Bentsi-Enchill
Firelei Baez
Aisha Bell
Dineo Bopape
Valerie Caesar
Sonya Clark
Malik Cumbo
Michael Cummings
Paul Deo
Kenneth Dossar
Cassi Amanda Gibson
Nakeisha Gumbs
Bethanie Hines
Imo Nse Imeh
Marcia Jones
William Jones
J’Renee
Stephanie Keith
Ananda Leeke
Sandrine Malary
Aaqil Ka
frank d. robinson, jr.
Karen Seneferu
Deborah Singletary
Noelle Lorraine Williams
Paula Wynter
Curated by:
Shantrelle P. Lewis