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My membership in BADG (Black Artists and Designers Guild) founded by long-time friend, visionary and superwoman, Malene Barnett, is the gift that keeps on giving. Placements in two prestigious national publications that I will report on below are due to that connection.

I am blessed with a wonderful artist, neighbor and good friend, Theda Sandiford. I was a definite ‘yes’ when she invited me to pair with her in a museum exhibit I report below and she has been so generous to me in the few years we’ve shared a our loft building. She is a top level Marketing Executive dynamo at Def Jam and an indefatigably prolific visual artist. Check out her Instagram @misstheda to learn more about her ecologically ethical and politically astute works of art made primarily from found objects repurposed for political dynamite.

WITH JOY,

CHERYL

EACH ONE, TEACH ONE: PRESERVING LEGACY IN PERPETUITY at MORRIS MUSEUM

Morristown, NJ March 17 -- August 27, 2023

This group exhibit pairs the works of mentors with that of their mentees. On March 16, I participated on a panel with many of the exhibited artists. The group included my dear friend, Ben Jones, who has mentored me through several group trips I have organized to Cuba for it’s Biennale. Sponsored by ATA (Art in the Atrium) auxiliary, the Artists’ conversations and answers about mentorships was enlightening and lively. Moderated by Curator Michelle Graves, I enjoyed sharing the stage also with my Mentor/Mentee, Theda Sandiford (we have had to agree that we each fill both roles depending on the circumstances). We were both very pleased with the thoughtful placements and presentation of our artworks.

Preliminary Interview with Marcus Romero 

KALEIDOSCOPES FEATURED ON HULU ORIGINAL “UNPRISONED” 

Three of my Kaleidoscope prints (VISTA I, FOREST/STAND I, and BIRTH I) are featured on the wall of Kerry Washington’s Therapist character’s office on the new HULU show, “UNPRISIONED”. It also stars, Delroy Lindo, who I know from my years living in San Francisco. His portrayal as her recently released father is amazingly nuanced and Emmy material. Use the link at the bottom of the newsletter to order these and/or other Kaleidoscopes offered on my Shopify account.

Left to Right: FOREST/ STAND, BIRTH, VISTA I

NYTIMES: 9 FURNITURE DESIGNERS FROM ACROSS THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

I thank the generous, talented furniture maker, Jomo Tariku, and fellow BADG member for including me in this March 12, New York Times article. I am paired with my Zulu Renaissance Writing Table, for a Lady 1995-6 from the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The Zulu spothank the generous, talented furniture maker, Jomo Tariku, and fellow BADG member for including me in this March 12, New York Times article. I am paired with my Zulu Renaissance Writing Table, for a Lady 1995-6 from the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The Zulu spoon legs speak to the need for this nomadic tribe to double utilitarian objects as works of exquisite art. For me, they are also representations of female strength and Africa’s foundational wealth that underpinned Europe’s power with their natural resources. They then create the Americas for Europeans via slave labor, knowledge of the soil, skills and cuisines, gold, diamonds, oil, and many more natural resources. The European standard bearers of beauty are represented by outtakes of eyes only from portraits of women by European ‘Masters’. These portraits focus on what is not seen by men versus what they value as beauty. The vitrine tabletop holds actual relics of my history or objects that are metaphors for my experiences and family histories. The underside is a set of copper leaf wings—a reference to a fable my mother told me that when I was born, I was so beautiful angels came down from heaven and kissed me, leaving their mark on my dimples.on legs speak to the need for this nomadic tribe to double utilitarian objects as works of exquisite art. For me, they are also representations of female strength and Africa’s foundational wealth that underpinned Europe’s power with their natural resources. They then create the Americas for Europeans via slave labor, knowledge of the soil, skills and cuisines, gold, diamonds, oil, and many more natural resources. The European standard bearers of beauty are represented by outtakes of eyes only from portraits of women by European ‘Masters’. These portraits focus on what is not seen by men versus what they value as beauty. The vitrine tabletop holds actual relics of my history or objects that are metaphors for my experiences and family histories. The underside is a set of copper leaf wings—a reference to a fable my mother told me that when I was born, I was so beautiful angels came down from heaven and kissed me, leaving their mark on my dimples.

As someone passionate about design and its ability to tell stories, reveal concealed histories and capture emotions, it’s incredible to be recognized for this masterpiece that also represents so much of me. I am grateful to be in Museum collections that can afford domestic objects visibility because collectors rarely loan their utilitarian furniture for extended exhibits and are not able to maintain or restore them for decades in pristine condition.

The article incorrectly states that I am based in San Francisco where I lived for more than two decades. I now reside in Jersey City. The Zulu Renaissance Writing Table for a Lady is currently on loan in a group exhibit of female-identified makers and designers entitled, “Parall(elles) A History of Women in Design” at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts until May 28, 2023.

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST — APRIL 2023

Another gift from BADG (Black Artists and Designers Guild) is a placement of another Kaleidoscope, BEGIN I, in Architectural Digest along with other members. This is an astoundingly talented group of Creatives and I feel so lucky to know them and be a part of the changes we are creating by our representation and recognition is mass media. Thanks to Tiffany Farney, PR Consultant for CORDERO CONSULTING for this beautiful double-page spread.

DEEP SPACE GALLERY — MOTHER EARTH GROUP SHOW

The super cool Deep Space Gallery has included me in another group show. This time, all female-identified artists. Their collectors like my Glyphs in varied formats and materials. This time Owners Jenna Geiger and “Dutchy" selected 22 x 30” gouache and metallic ink Glyphs I painted on archival paper in 2017. After my James Weldon Johnson Foundation Residency with Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, my wife and I rented a converted firehouse where I set up a studio in the first-floor storefront. While I was still in my painting groove, I experimented with different paints and formats and these were among those I kept in my flat file where the discovered them.

ARTIST OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA CHERYL’S ARTIST PICK OF THE MONTH

WANGECHI MUTU “INTERTWINED"

If you are in the New York City area, planning or willing to come, do not miss this exhibit at the New Museum of the incomparable WANGECHI MUTU. The exhibit presents over 100 works and you have until June 4, to have your mind blown. The power of this Nairobi-born woman is atomic level. I am unsuccessfully imitating “The Seated I", 2019. Some of you may have viewed it with three others in the niches of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s facade which they acquired. Give yourself a few hours because you want to read the wall labels. There are also videos in the basement and throughout the upper floors and you will want to see them all in their entirety. The show is African, Sci-Fi, Threatening, and Maternal. I took the suggestion of the Guard on the first floor and began at the bottom and working my way up to the top floor crescendo.

Enjoy!

AVAILABLE ON SHOPIFY