MATERIAL GIRLS Contemporary Black Women Artists September 6 – December 1, 2012
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Featuring CHAKAIA BOOKER • SONYA CLARK • MAYA FREELON ASANTE MAREN HASSINGER • MARTHA JACKSON JARVIS JOYCE J. SCOTT • RENÉE STOUT
he artists in Material Girls incorporate a range of materials including hair, beads, tissue paper, volcanic stone, rubber tires, and plastic into their work. Using both delicate and resilient materials, they build monumental sculptures, shape richly textured surfaces, apply intricate handiwork, and create provocative assemblages. Inspired in part by Alice Walker’s seminal 1974 essay “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens,” Material Girls honors and extends the artistic traditions of black women that have historically gone unnoticed or undocumented.
CALENDAR OF EXHIBITION-RELATED EVENTS Monday, October 22, 2012, 6:30pm An Evening with Artist Joyce J. Scott
Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 6:30pm Chakaia Booker in Conversation
Joyce J. Scott, a multi-media artist who is critically acclaimed for her beaded sculptures and glass figures, uses wry wit and dry humor to tackle complex subjects. Through her work she comments on race, gender, and religion. Make plans to participate in this special evening as Scott discusses works featured in Material Girls, current projects, and more.
Chakaia Booker is widely acclaimed for her abstract sculptures made of intricately woven, layered, shredded, and curled rubber tires. In this conversation with Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., Director of the Museum, Booker will discuss topics ranging from black identity to urban ecology. This event is free and open to the public. However, capacity is limited and registration is required. Register now at spelmanmuseum.org.
This program is organized in collaboration with the Spelman College Women’s Research and Resource Center
This event is organized in collaboration with NBAF
Friday, October 26, 2012, 3pm to 5pm Homecoming Kickoff Reception Members of the Spelman and Morehouse family are invited to a private gathering to view Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists.
Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists was developed and organized by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. The exhibition is curated by Michelle Joan Wilkinson, Ph.D.
Saturday, November 10, 2012, 1pm to 4pm Community Day Children of all ages are invited to join the fun and participate in make-and-take hands-on art making workshops using clay, beads, tissue paper, and recycled materials. Interactive tours of Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists and object lessons will be given throughout the day.
Major support was provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of Fulton County Arts and Culture.
The Museum emphasizing art by and about women of the African Diaspora SPELMAN COLLEGE MUSEUM OF FINE ART in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center GPS system address: 440 Westview Drive, SW 30310 350 Spelman Lane, Box 1526 | Atlanta, GA 30314 | 404.270.5607 museum@spelman.edu | spelmanmuseum.org facebook.com/spelmanmusem | twitter.com/@spelmanmuseum Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays, noon - 4 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday, holidays, and Spelman College breaks