Listen

Listen, my response and life lesson that has carried me from this moment to the social issues of today is about a moment at home. Since then, I did not realize this particular moment has been the tremendous sturdy rock that I stand upon today. Tracing back a host of memories and relationships with African Americans, I recalled my very first lesson. The opportunity to paint this untapped content in my painting surfaced in the Narrative Art course taught by Steve Knudsen at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Listen shares a family moment in 1979 of watching the television series “Roots”. In the horrific moment of watching young Kizzie being taken away from her family for learning how to read, I looked to my mother for guidance and all she could muster was “we love everyone”. Listening to my mother led me to listen to all people. I hold a light to Kizzie in this painting with hopes that she sees in this moment surrounded by the arts represented within in interior view and the exterior view represent the continued work of generations towards equality.