Current Exhibition

Contemporary Artists of Africa Here and Abroad

An exhibition celebrating the beauty and power of

Contemporary African Art in Atlanta's African community

November 20, 2011- January 29, 2012

Atlanta has been a destination of African immigrants for many years and a hotbed of African cultural celebration through spiritual practices, visual arts, music, and dance.  The profound connection and influence that the African communities of Atlanta have had in shaping the city's unique identity cannot be overlooked.  Through its universities and grassroots organizations, Atlanta has been blessed to be home to the traditional aesthetic practices of Africa as well as its contemporary innovations and impulses.  Hammonds House Museum is honored to bring to the public a small selection of the myriad of African-born artists who now call Atlanta home or who have local connections.  The exhibition features artists from several countries on the continent and continues the Museum's legacy of educating the metro-Atlanta community about the important contributions made by artist of Africa and the African Diaspora.  The exhibition also will include contemporary works by African artists in Hammonds House Museum's permanent collection, including artwork donated by the late  Louise Willingham of Atlanta, GA, and the late Janet Carter of New York City.

FEATURED ARTISTS

MAHAMOOD ISSA- SOMALIA

EBRIMA BA- SIERRE LEON

NAPLAH NAPLAH-LIBERIA

UGOCHUKWU SMOOTH C. NWEZI -NIGERIA

Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi is an artist, art historian, curator and culture activist.  He obtained a (B.A) in Fine and Applied Arts from University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2001, and a post graduate diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies from University of Western Cape, South Africa in 2006. Currently a PhD Candidate in Art History at Emory University, Atlanta, USA, Smooth maintains a thriving career as an artist. He has participated in international artists' residency and workshop programs, and more than thirty exhibitions in Africa, Europe and the United States. Smooth's creative templates include, sculpture, installation, painting, drawing, and most recently, film. curator and culture activist. Currently a PhD student in Art history at Emory University, Atlanta, USA. His research interest in on contemporary African and African Diaspora Art
Some of his recent activities include, International Fine Art, 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa, June 10 - July 5, 2010, A View of Home From Abroad, Stripes Gallery, Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, USA, September 10 - October 31, 2010, Guest Curator, Transitions: Contemporary South African Works on Paper, High Museum, Atlanta, January 9, 2010-June 10, 2010, Other Possible worlds: Dictionary in space (International artists workshop and exhibition),  Center Emile Hamilius, Luxembourg, July 17 - 31, 2011, and Vermont Studio Center residency and exhibition, Johnson, Vermont, September 25 - November 20, 2011.

Artist Statement
In the works produced using pastel chalk and pen, I have mainly relied on the aesthetic and formal properties of Uli design and Nsibidi ideograms, which are autochthonous to traditional societies in eastern Nigeria. I have also explored the geometric symbolism of cubism and elements of American color field which are informed by my knowledge of Western art.  By drawing from the two indigenous art systems of Nigeria, in addition to Western art, I am rooted in tangible heritages that serve as a vehicle with which I navigate the nuances of a cosmopolitan world without losing my identity.

KEN CHUME- NIGERIA

PHILLIP AMONOO - GHANA

ABRAHAM G. EGZIABER- ETHIOPIA

Abraham G. Egziaber (Ethiopia)

Painting and drawing come as naturally to Abraham G. Egziaber as swimming to a fish. "My grandfather was a painter in Ethiopia. He did a lot of church decorations and manuscript illustrations. The Emperor Menelik sent him to France for (classic instruction)," said Egziaber, a Flowery Branch resident.

"My father is an artist, too.  I started drawing at an early stage, and he noticed my talent. "Even though paint flows through his veins, Egziaber walked away from the arts until a dire medical prognosis brought him back in touch with his roots.   "In 2008, I got diagnosed with myeloma," Egziaber said.  "It was in the late stages. The doctors said at most I would live a year or two."

Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer that impacts the blood's plasma cells. According to the International Myeloma Foundation, 20,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.  "They did a stem cell transplant and all of that, but (the doctors) thought I didn't even benefit from it. I started another treatment, but I couldn't take it, so I quit," Egziaber said. I started changing the paintings I'd already drawn," Egziaber said.  "I decided to make my work be for healing purposes. My paintings now are all about life and how it's a journey.  Having already lived longer than doctors predicted, Egziaber returned to his doctor to find out what was going on with his cancer.  "My doctor said the only way to find out, is to do a bone marrow biopsy. I'd done one before and knew it was very painful, so I didn't want to do it again," Egziaber said.  "But I did it."  The results were better than he could've hoped for. His cancer was in "sustained remission."  "When they told me that, I knew this was a second chance that God was giving me, so I had to use it," Egziaber said.  "Once I'm gone, I'm gone. Why not contribute by showing my (paintings) to society? I've lived here almost 19 years, but no one knows I'm an artist."  For the last several decades, Egziaber's work has been largely out of sight of the public. He's donated a piece here or there for fundraisers at his children's schools and even participated in a small art show, but for the most part, no one in his community knows about his talent.  He's had a solo show at The Goethe Institute in Kenya and in 1983 the Seattle Arts Commission purchased one of his paintings , which is still in regular rotation in public exhibits today.   With his second chance, Egziaber is planning to share his work with the public. He started by being a participant Saturday in the Fine Art Showcase at Brenau University, which was hosted by the Quinlan Visual Arts Center and the John Jarrard Foundation.  He hopes to use his deepened appreciation for life as a source of encouragement for others. Even if viewers don't appreciate his brush strokes or composition, Egziaber says he hopes at the very least his work inspires others to be optimistic in the face of adversity.  "My latest paintings were a motivational tool for me to have a positive outlook, and I want to share that with the public," Egziaber said.  "I thank the almighty for giving me this second chance. I am not going to waste it."

By Brandee A. Thomas bthomas@gainesvilletimes.com