Melting Pot

Hair Boundaries

Boundaries! What have we, as Black women, sacrificed in generations of our lives dealing with the boundaries of our hair to fit into white society? First, we were forcefully brought to these American shores by force, tortured, and raped for 400+ years in this hemisphere by brutish captors…

A Couple of Things on My Mind Today…

“We are still searching for our KEY to full freedom in the U.S. which continues to be a thorny existence. Do your work – know your history and build a strong foundation.”#Larueshandinclay #blackwomanceramicist #afriwarebooks #mahoganygalley #peopleofcolorpeopleofclay #thecolornetwork #africanamericanmuseums #blackartinamericamatters #blacksculptorsmatters #afrolatinaartist #chicagoartist #ceramicartistofinstagram #stonewareceramics —Christine “Liz” Larue I…

Freedom

  Are we free yet? Whose country is this? In this country, people vote for all sorts of reasons. Voting is visceral. Voting is intellectual. Voting is protest, praise, and remembrance. In this country, we all get to choose to vote…or do we? Throughout our collective history, voting…

Dreams: Evans Nyarko Badohu

This young man’s work.  This young man from Ghana, Evans Nyarko Badohu, tagged me his every dream until I asked could I share them with you.  Gate open, Garden Spices, on Evans Nyarko Badohu. – Victorine   Artist Statement I started to create when I was a child…

Prosetry by Frank Malaba: Limping

I keep remembering a time when I was young… hands so tender, it almost hurt to clasp them in prayer… When all I could hold was my stuffed teddy who knew all my fears, joys, and wants. The sound of the Zimbabwean national anthem evoked hope in the…

Darshan Comes to Tuscumbia, AL!

A few years back I penned a piece inviting you to “Jump” into experiencing different cultures.  Eight years later, I am awestruck to be experiencing the first national Indian art exhibition – Darshan, Visions of India, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, Tuscumbia, AL. Garden Spices…

Hands by Labdhi Shah

I attended the Darshan Festival in Tuscumbia, AL.   In the midst of the vivid colors of the artistic renderings of India, my eyes took me to  a contemporary offering, the hands of Labdhi Shah.  When she defined the nature of capturing the beauty of the expression of…

Carnival is Here!: Tatiana Gibs (Tatje)

There is nothing like Carnival in the Caribbean, and Sint Maarten jams during this festive season of celebration.  Tatiana Gibbs captures the vibrancy of the Caribbean in her tribute, Carnival Is Here!  Tatiana and Dakey also sing calypso, the genre that makes you either move or swoon.  Their…

NOBODY’S MULLET

  He’s back!!!  The humorist that twists words and imagery in such a whimsical way that you comprehend a language foreign to you.  He has now developed a venue for his gift – Voices in Flight.  Garden Spices welcomes you back, Faeez Van Doorsen– Victorine   Nobody’s Mullet…