Skip to main content

Expression of Influence

 

Quote found on the Internet 




Expression of Influence.Digital art created on canvas. October 27, 2024. Afrika Abney 


Some of the people that influenced and inspired me include Mr. Marvin Sinn, Mr. Winston Kennedy, Mr. Jorge Somarriba, Ms. Georgette Powell and Ms. Lois M. Jones.



Mr. Marvin Sin



"Born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn, New York, Marvin Sin is a cultural activist and a self-taught artist working in leather. His hobby became a lifelong passion during the Black Arts movement of the early 1970s. He recalls, “The artists I met in Harlem during that period were a great influence on me. The Weusi Artists of Harlem, the Africobra Artists of Chicago, the Black Theater Movement, the poetry, dance, fashion, and general spirit of celebrating African culture shaped my creative and political sensibilities powerfully and permanently.” He found leather to be a medium that involved drawing, painting, sculpting, and that enabled him to master a craft that was utilitarian. Deeply committed to serving the African American community, Sin has advocated and organized for a wide range of issues combining art/craft, culture, economics, and politics."




Mr. Winston Kennedy




"Winston Kennedy, an artist and art historian, is professor emeritus from Howard University, Washington, DC. There, he taught printmaking, art management and photography, and other courses for 29 years. He was, during part of that time, chairman of the Art Department and director of the Gallery of Art. As an artist he has exhibited his prints in galleries and museums in the United States, South America and Europe."




Mr. Jorge Somarriba




"Jorge Somarriba, a Nicaraguan born artist who lives in Gaithersburg. He immigrated to the United States in 1975 and has taught art at the Bell Multicultural High School and Norwood School in Bethesda.”




Ms. Georgetta S. Powell




"Georgette Seabrook Powell was born in Charleston, SC in 1916 and raised in New York City. After graduating from The Cooper Union School of Art, she became active in the Harlem Arts Workshop. Powell was inspired by Augusta Savage (A’25), a young sculptor and the newly appointed director of the Harlem Arts Workshop. Powell learned from the dedication Savage gave to teaching arts in the Harlem community, and teaching became a cornerstone in her life as well.




Powell was employed by the WPA, along with a team of artists, to create a series of murals for the Harlem Hospital Art Project. Her murals, titled Recreation in Harlem, depicted the daily lives, struggles and joys of Harlem’s residents. Once the murals had been completed, they were pronounced “too controversial” by the hospital’s director, who insisted they be painted over. The matter became a life-defining battle for her. She insisted that she was free to create her vision of the Harlem community, and refused to alter the murals. Ensuing court battles finally found in favor of Powell. Half a century later, her murals are a silent tribute to her fortitude as both an artist and community activist. The murals express the quintessential flavor of the period. Over many years, they have begun to deteriorate, but Harlem Hospital has raised funds and full restoration of the murals is expected.




Powell continued painting after she became a busy homemaker, married a doctor in 1936, and focused on raising three children and caring for her aging mother. She continued her involvement with neighborhood beautification projects and cultural activities for children. By the early 1950s, New York’s distinguished Turtle Bay Music School had developed a program using art as a means of therapy. Powell was accepted as a student and, after she completed studies there, became an art therapist. While studying she met a psychologist from Washington and together they began the first journal dedicated to their subject, the American Journal of Art Therapy.




After 40 years living in New York, Powell and her husband relocated to Washington D.C. She volunteered at area hospitals until a former teacher, a supervisor of the occupational therapy department at D.C. General Hospital, hired her as her assistant in the acute psychiatry division.



She became a clinical supervisor of art therapists at George Washington University and established an annual community program, Art in the Park. Powell founded and taught at Tomorrow’s World Art Center, a community program that offered art therapy and education services to the young and elderly of metropolitan area Washington D.C.




Powell also studied stage design and lighting at Fordham University and received a B.F.A. from Howard University’s College without Walls. Her paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States for more than half a century. In 1995, the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Museum in Washington mounted a two-month retrospective of her paintings.



Powell is the recipient of many awards citing her lifetime of achievements in art, as a dedicated teacher, community leader and art activist. She was honored by the late President Ronald Reagan whose 1986 letter states, “You are the rare combination, a doer and a teacher.” Powell received the 2003 Visionary Leadership Project, Legacy Keeper award presented at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Library of Congress.



In April 2008, The Cooper Union presented Georgette Seabrook Powell with a Lifetime Achievement Award."




Ms. Lois M. Jones




“Ms. Lois M. Jones has championed the international artistic achievement of African-American art. She has also been an important role model for other African-American artists, particularly those involved with her design and watercolor courses at Howard University from 1930 to 1977.


Popular posts from this blog

The exploration of human experiences within the context of abstract art

  Quote found on the Internet “The exploration of human experiences within the context of abstract art reveals a profound interplay between emotion and perception. Abstract art, characterized by its departure from representational forms, invites viewers to engage with their own feelings and interpretations. This genre transcends traditional boundaries, allowing individuals to connect with the artwork on a personal level, often evoking a range of responses that are deeply rooted in their own life experiences. The absence of recognizable subjects encourages a more introspective approach, prompting viewers to reflect on their emotions and thoughts as they navigate the vibrant colors, shapes, and textures presented before them.”

Overall Background

My overall background consists of the following: art, consulting, dance, and literature which began when I was a student. I have not provided in person flyer dissemination services for BZB International since 2019 and for Esther Productions, Inc since October 2023. Furthermore, I have not returned back to many venues since I left. Should you have any questions, please put them in writing. Thank you Art:  https://afrikaabneyconsult.blogspot.com/2024/07/art.html Consultant:  https://afrikaabneyconsult.blogspot.com/2024/07/consultant.html Dance:  Dance Literary:  https://afrikaabneyconsult.blogspot.com/2024/07/literary.html Actively seeking paid work only - afrikamabney@gmail.com 

Multicultural literature

  Quote found on the Internet  “Multicultural literature encompasses a diverse range of literary works that reflect the varied cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of different ethnic and social groups. This genre serves as a vital platform for voices that have historically been marginalized or underrepresented in mainstream literature. By exploring themes such as identity, belonging, and cultural conflict, multicultural literature invites readers to engage with the complexities of human experience across different societies and traditions. The significance of multicultural literature lies in its ability to foster understanding and empathy among readers from different backgrounds. Through rich narratives and authentic character portrayals, these works challenge stereotypes and promote a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. They often highlight the struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating their identities within the context of their cultural herita...

What's Happening?

Quote from the Internet What is happening in a world filled with judgement, prejudice, gossip, deception, and discrimination? Well, some of those things have been depicted in Ms. Afrika Abney's art. However, from June 3 to July 2, 2024, she discarded several abstract collages and paintings as she felt they did not represent her best work. Ms. Abney is actively looking for paid opportunities and has posted her resume on platforms like Indeed and Creatively. Ms. Abney aims to showcase her services to a diverse range of clients. She has worked with clients like New Harlem Gallery, Wisteria Artspace, and Emma Mae Gallery. She has also served notable individuals such as Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, Gloria Quirarte, and Doc Powell. These services have ranged from art exhibitions, dance performances, event management, event promotions, and social media marketing. Additionally, Ms. Abney has collaborated with institutions like The Phillips Collection and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. M...

Meaningful Christmas

  Meaningful Christmas. Digital art created on canvas. December 19, 2024. Afrika Abney  Meaningful Christmas for me has nothing to do with meals and store bought gifts, but instead having meaningful conversations, listening respectfully to shared stories, genuine affection and honoring values. 

Dance

Quote found on the Internet  Ms. Afrika Abney specializes in West African dance, having honed her skills at NationHouse in D.C. With a unique style that blends traditional and contemporary elements, she inspires individuals of all abilities to embrace movement. Committed to fostering confidence, self-esteem, and personal expression through dance, Ms. Abney actively engages the community and empowers others to discover the transformative power of dance. When she went to Dance Place, years later, she studied Dunham Technique from Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson. DR. SHERRILL BERRYMAN JOHNSON "DR. J." ​"Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson was the Founder/Artistic Director of the first HBCU B.F.A. Dance Program at Howard University in Washington, DC. Dr. J, as we all fondly called her, was Dance. She was a woman of verve, grace, and intelligence; many academic achievements and an advocate of service. Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson, who, for many, many years taught, choreographed, adv...

Christmas Eve

  Quote found on the Internet It is Christmas Eve and I pray that those that celebrate Christmas prayers are answered. On this Christmas Eve, I would like my only prayer for a single hetrosexual male over the age of 30 to marry me. I believe that Christmas eve and Christmas are about genuine love, affection, showing compassion, demonstrating understanding, being trustworthy, loyal, faithful, having mutual respect and meaningful conversations without judgement, bias and prejudice. I do not want a hetrosexual husband that has no respect for himself and those that raised him to be a gentleman with standards, values, ethics, and self-expression.  I do not believe in the superficiality of Christmas eve and Christmas. I believe in the essence of gifts that come from the heart and treasured stories that have symbolism, inspiration and instill principles such as determination and purpose. Some of the movies that I watched in the past on Christmas Eve include Frosty Snowman and How the...

Festivity Fusion

Festivity Fusion. Digital art created on canvas. November 23, 2024. Afrika Abney

Vibrant Visions of Faith

  Vibrant Visions of Faith. Digital art created on canvas. November 26, 2024. Afrika Abney  With the principle of faith, I am fortunate that I graduated from Bell Multicultural High School in 1993 because I felt alone, depressed, traumatized, isolated and discriminated against every time that I stepped inside the school from 1991 - 1993. The colors gold and shades of yellow are deliberately selected to depict optimism, while black represents faith. 

Remembrance Radiance

  Remembrance Radiance.Digital art created on canvas. December 5, 2024. Afrika Abney  The holiday season means something different for each person. For me, the holiday season is the time where I remember the loss of loved ones, past holiday season performances before the pandemic, the symbolism of the colors and exchange of stories.