October 10 -November 16, 2020

She Taught Me to Stand on her Shoulders

Curated by
Dr. Myrah Brown Green

Adama Delphine Fawundu
Vanessa Greene
Jacqueline Johnson 
Tayllor Johnson
Myra Kooy
Deborah Singletary
Cheryl Thomas
Cathie Wright-Lewis

Opening reception: Saturday, October 10, 5-8pm
Social Distancing restrictions apply, please see below.

An exhibition to “reflect on and pursue the act of moving forward by listening to and understanding the lessons of those who came before, leaving jewels of wisdom for all who are open to hearing”. - Dr. Myrah Brown Green

 The curator has included three writers, Jacqueline Johnson, Tayllor Johnson and Cathy Wright-Lewis whose writings are instruction to help with moving through the uncharted and unpredictable paths of our lives.  The texts are printed on large pieces of parchment paper and are attached to the wall. 

The sound of gourd rattles, hung by Cheryl Thomas within the exhibition, serve to remind the public to clear the way for the healing we need to do at this moment in our history.

Adama Delphine Fawundu’s photographs and her video projections  are an acknowledgment of the ancestors before the immediate ancestors. The rituals and rites of the She of Mende, Bubi, Krim and the Bamileke have been acknowledged and used in many parts of the world.  Vanessa Greene’s life size photographic montages remind us to call the name of She and Her descendants who survived that 1st journey West as captives. Their spirits continue to live and touch the souls of those who came after. 

Myra Kooy’s painted doors intend to show a number of paths that lead to new beginnings.  She elevates her painted figures with a crown of light to let them become contemporary archangels and a visual liaison between the past and what is yet to come. Deborah Singletary’s guardians and vision carriers in her paintings depict the familiar, but for the artist they are the wheels that carry us on this infinitely creative journey. 

Dr. Myrah Brown Green is an art historian, author, lecturer, art consultant and independent curator. To read her full curator statement, please click here.

Social Distancing: 20 people will be allowed in the space at a time.
For artist talk please rsvp by clicking on this link.

Gallery Hours:

Thursday - Sunday, 1 - 6pm, or by appointment. Please email hanne@fivemyles.org, or call 718-783-4438.
Please wear a facemask to visit the gallery. Visitors without masks cannot be let inside. Thank you for your cooperation.

DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

FiveMyles is in part supported by the New York State Council for the Arts, Public Funds from the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, the Greenwich Collection, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, and the Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason Foundation.