Sunday Muses: 12/15/2024
Here's a toast to this week's inspirations <3
Hello my loves!
I hope you have been loved and well. This week has been a bit of a whirlwind, primarily from exploring the grief of losing two incredible Black women (Rest in Peace Nikki Giovanni and Lorraine O’Grady). Despite it all, I am excited to bring another Sunday Muses post for you to explore. I hope at least one of these artists will speak to you and potentially be a new fave! Be on the lookout for a few extra posts this week, including an extra special post about one of these artists. As always, be safe and I hope you have an amazing week <3
Firstly, I would like to share a piece by Nikki Giovanni <3
Her Dreams
Nikki Giovanni
Mommy always wanted
To be famous
She would have us (my sister and me)
Sing
In all the talent shows
But I could not carry the harmony
Then she had me
Sing
Alone
Though The Isley Brothers
Always won
Ronald’s sweet voice and Vernon
Doing “the Itch”
Sort of like Michael Jackson
Doing “the Moon Walk”
So I and all others
Lost
We sang
In harmony
On our front deck
“September in the Rain”
And our neighbors loved it
Especially Mrs. Morris who
Covered lightly with a quilt
Clapped after each song
Then while waiting
For the Number 16 Bus
She would say:
“This Is June/Hold your tune”
And we had to sing
“My Blue Heaven”
“But Mommy ... my sister would say ...
No one is out here”
Maybe someone will come by
And hear us
So we sang
Until the bus arrived
She and my sister sat
Together
I sat on the other side
Alone
Lois Mailou Jones aka The Grande Dame of African American Art (1905 - 1998)
Boston, MA | visual artist
* be on the lookout for an extended post about her work!
Nnenna Okore
@/nnennaokore | Australian-born Nigerian (Chicago) | Abstract Sculptures
Njideka Akinyili Crosby
Nigerian | Visual Artist
Nina Chanel Abney
@/ninachanel | American | Contemporary Visual Artist
Who are a few artists that inspired you this week?