MAYA FREELON ASANTE in “Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists” opens at Spelman

Opens Sept. 6, 2012

The seven artists featured in Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists create three-dimensional works that exemplify the value of organic and man-made materials. Incorporating a range of materials including hair, beads, tissue paper, volcanic stone, rubber tires, and plastic, the artists are keenly attentive to the pleasures derived from the sense of touch. Using delicate and resilient materials, the artists have constructed monumental sculptures, shaped richly textured surfaces, applied intricate handiwork, and created provocative assemblages.

Above image is Martha Jackson Jarvis pulling Scent of Magnolia I, II and III, 2008.Stone, Concrete, Glass. Scent of Magnolia I, 3.5’ x 10’ x 3’; Scent of Magnolia II,3.5’ x 8’ x 3’; Scent of Magnolia III,3.5’ x 5’ x 3’. Courtesy the artist.

Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists, features work by Chakaia Booker, Sonya Clark, Maya Freelon Asante, Maren Hassinger, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Joyce J. Scott, and Renée Stout. On view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art Sept. 6 through Dec. 1, 2012, this exhibition explores the innovative ways that Black women artists fuse fine art and craft.

Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists was developed and organized by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. This exhibition was curated by Michelle Joan Wilkinson, Ph.D.