I had the privilege to play a minor supporting role to artist André Henderson, during his art opening “Journey & Clotilda -the Final Journey” shown at Atlanta Mayor Andres Dickens’ Office of Cultural Affairs. The event was organized by the GA section of ACS Minority Affairs leadership team in collaboration with curator Kevin Sipp. The Journey depicts aspects of the kidnapping and brutal transportation of enslaved Africans, illuminating the suffering and fatalities along the way.
André explained his creations, and interestingly described the feelings and emotions he experienced while creating the art. It became clear that André’s journey as an artist was directed by his intuition, and that his artistic expression may be a way for him to venerate his ancestors. Kevin was able to speak to the ancient theology depicted in some of André’s images. Jason Lye was able to talk about ancient colorants that were in use in Africa up to 150,000 years ago, as well as the complex coloration methodologies used by ancient Egyptians and northern Africans.
