Art Flow(s): Perspectives from the African Diaspora

From the Art Collections of
Margo Thomas, Yonette Thomas, and Deborah Smith 
Curator: Zoma Wallace

This fall, the Mansion Galleries will feature art, artifacts, and ephemera of the African Diaspora. The work comes from the collections of Dr. Yonette Thomas, Dr. Margo Thomas, and Dr. Deborah Smith. Calling themselves the Three Sisters, the three collectors have been professionally and personally connected for almost 25 years.

With Zoma Wallace as curator, they have chosen works from their individual collections, which represent their personal interests. These works will be juxtaposed throughout the exhibition with music, dance, and other artistic expressions.

Speaking about the exhibition, the sisters share, “We are not artists but we cannot and will not live without art in our lives.”

Visit Strathmore.org/Mansion to find current Mansion hours and plan your visit.

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Curatorial Statement

From Curator Zoma Wallace

Welcome to Art Flow(s): Perspectives from the African Diaspora. This intercultural, interdisciplinary exhibition was conceived by three active members of the Strathmore community as a project to nurture connectivity, authenticity, and accessibility through the arts. Known as the Three Sisters, Dr. Deborah Smith, Dr. Yonette Thomas, and Dr. Margo Thomas have shared a friendship of over 25 years as well as a lifelong love of the arts. They have collected expressions of human creativity from virtually every continent while traversing the globe on professional and personal trips. By sharing select pieces from their personal collections of visual art, sculpture and ephemera, The Three Sisters intend to stimulate introspection and contemplation around the value and meaning of art in the lives of people from all walks of life. This exhibition is designed as a blend of creative perspectives.

As a noun, a verb, and a metaphor, the word flow describes a state of mind, a state of being, or the quality of a movement. The creative process itself is often described as being its own type of flow, in which ideas move from imagined concepts into realized form, as the inspired artist who finds themselves "in the flow" is fueled by a compulsion to create, to connect, and to sometimes heal. Flow is a theme that transcends, yet unifies, the individual narratives represented within the artworks curated into this exhibition. Flow also describes the unbroken continuity and fluidity of movement and exchange in the life of every human being, much like the flow of blood and breath through the body or the flow of a river.

Art Flow(s) intends for visitors to see and feel how culture flows across borders, seas, art forms, and generations. Though globally-minded and universally relevant, the focus of this exhibition presents a range of expressions, perspectives, and experiences specific to peoples of the African Diaspora. Diaspora refers to the dispersion or spread of a people from their original homelands, and the 'African Diaspora' is composed of African-descended people who have either migrated across the globe voluntarily or whose ancestors were forcibly relocated and dispersed. The Three Sisters feel that art through "connectedness with ancestors, connectedness beyond oneself, and connections across communities" has been a source of resilience for all peoples. The Sisters hope that Art Flow(s) will offer visitors opportunities to connect with different forms of art and to contemplate the flow of art in our daily lives.

ART FLOW(S) EVENTS

September 19

Opening Reception

Join the Three Sisters, in celebrating the opening of their collaborative exhibition.

October 8

Art Heals and Forgives

Join Dr. Wizdom Powell, nationally acclaimed expert, professor, and thought leader in the field of psychology in a discussion of art as a healing force. 

October 16

Art at Home and Life Around the World

In conversation, the Three Sisters will share their thoughts on making art collecting more accessible and achievable for all.

October 26

The Arts are Uniting... A Family Day!

Join us on a day for family and friends to take time to explore and enjoy the exhibition with a cornucopia of chats, mini-tours, live music, dance performance, and artsy activities for all ages.

Strathmore extends its gratitude to AARP for its generous support and for making this program possible.