Why I Love Women Artists...Vanessa German @ Concept Gallery, Pittsburgh
I had the awesome opportunity to interview Vanessa German for her exhibits at AIR Gallery and August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh in 2016 (which is posted here on LFF).
I continue to follow and admire her poignant artwork, writing and community and social justice work from afar via social media and in galleries when I can.
Concept Art Gallery is hosting an exhibit of her work, "Vanessa German: The Incredibly True, Sometimes Humorous, Often Horrific Adventures of a Wacky Black Girl. Or, A Visual Ritual into the Power of The Black Imagination," with a celebration from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 25th.
Here is some of my favorite work by Vanessa German, more of which can be found at https://www.conceptgallery.com/artists/german-vanessa/. Text below also from conceptgallery.com.
Vanessa German: Black Madonna Boogie Board. Mixed Media Sculptural Wall Hanging, 41 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 3 inches
Poet, performer, photographer, and sculptor Vanessa German creates works that explore the power of transformation and healing.
Vanessa German: Black Madonna with Beer Bottle Cap Dress. Mixed Media on Matboard, 20 x 23 1/4 inches
She scours her Pittsburgh neighborhood searching for objects to incorporate into her art. “I surrender myself to the objects that call up to me,” she has said.
Vanessa German: The Shipment, 2013
Her intricate mixed-media sculptures combine doll parts, antique tins, cowrie shells, household objects, and African beads.
Vanessa German: The Derivative Negress Once Again Makes a Mockable, Public Spectacle of Her Grief, 2013
With these three-dimensional collages German reclaims objects and words that symbolize the oppression of African Americans for generations, creating serene, if surreal, figures that call to mind religious icons, Congolese minkisi sculpture, folk art traditions, and the work of Betye Saar and Fred Wilson.
Send ideas and releases to [email protected]. Les Femmes Folles is a volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to support and promote women in all forms, styles and levels of art from around the world with the online journal, print annuals, exhibitions and events; originally inspired by artist Wanda Ewing and her curated exhibit by the name Les Femmes Folles (Wild Women). LFF was created and is curated by Sally Deskins. LFF Books is a micro-feminist press that publishes 1-2 books per year by the creators of Les Femmes Folles including the award-winning Intimates & Fools (Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2014) , The Hunger of the Cheeky Sisters: Ten Tales (Laura Madeline Wiseman/Lauren Rinaldi, 2015 and Mes Predices (catalog of art/writing by Marie Peter Toltz, 2017).Other titles include Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 available on blurb.com, including art, poetry and interview excerpts from women artists. A portion of the proceeds from LFF books and products benefit the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Wanda Ewing Scholarship Fund.
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