Artwork Collection
A detailed look at selected pieces from the Nedra Williams Gallery exhibition and other collections
Featured Pieces
Ancestral Connections
Mixed media collage on paper, 24" x 36", 2022
This piece explores the connection between African ancestry and contemporary identity. The central mask motif represents ancestral wisdom, while the silhouette of the African continent symbolizes the geographical and cultural roots that continue to influence diaspora experiences.
The blue background represents water – both the Atlantic Ocean that physically separates the diaspora from the continent and the spiritual waters that connect ancestors to their descendants. The textural elements and layering technique create depth that invites viewers to look beyond the surface.
Notable elements include hand-drawn patterns inspired by traditional textiles, found paper with historical significance, and symbolic representations of cultural memory and inheritance.
Pattern Language
Mixed media on canvas, 48" x 24", 2023
This striking vertical piece explores the concept of embodied knowledge and cultural patterns that are carried within us. The silhouette figure represents the human form as a vessel for cultural memory, filled with intricate patterns that reference traditional African design elements.
The stark contrast between the black background and white patterning creates a powerful visual impact, while the subtle blue accent on the lips represents voice and the oral traditions through which cultural knowledge is transmitted across generations.
The meticulous detail in the patterning reflects the artist's interest in the ways cultural symbols and motifs evolve and adapt while maintaining connections to their origins. Each pattern element has specific meaning within various African cultural contexts.
Sisters
Mixed media drawing on paper, 12" x 12", 2021
"Sisters" celebrates the bonds between women in the African diaspora through a stylized representation of three figures with distinctive headwraps. The blue, black, and brown color palette creates a harmonious visual rhythm while distinguishing each figure's unique identity.
The headwraps feature patterns inspired by various African textile traditions, symbolizing both cultural heritage and personal expression. The simplified facial features focus attention on the eyes, which serve as windows to individual character and shared experiences.
This piece is part of a series exploring feminine identity, cultural adornment, and the transmission of aesthetic traditions across generations of women. The accompanying exhibition text elaborates on the significance of headwraps as both practical garments and powerful symbols of identity.
Urban Rhythms
Mixed media collage on canvas, 30" x 30", 2022
This dynamic collage merges geometric abstraction with photographic elements to explore the intersection of traditional African design principles and contemporary urban experience. The gold/yellow background creates a warm foundation that references both African textiles and the vibrant energy of city life.
The composition incorporates circles, triangles, and linear elements in a rhythmic arrangement that suggests movement and music. The integration of a photographic figure in traditional African dress creates a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation.
Materials include acrylic paint, found papers, fabric scraps, photographic transfers, and mixed media on canvas. The layered approach creates a rich visual texture that rewards extended viewing and reveals new details with each examination.
Remembering Series
Photographic series, various dimensions, 2020-2023
The "Remembering" series documents cultural practices and rituals that inform the artist's collage work. These photographs capture moments of intergenerational knowledge transfer and the creation of traditional patterns and symbols that later appear in the collage pieces.
"Remembering I" shows a woman in traditional African attire teaching a child to create chalk patterns on pavement, demonstrating how cultural practices are passed down through direct participation. The close-up of the chalk patterns reveals the geometric precision and symbolic meaning embedded in seemingly simple designs.
"Remembering II" depicts a ritual moment, with a woman in white seated on a patterned ground drawing. The white dress symbolizes purification and spiritual connection, while the circular patterns reference both cosmic symbols and the cyclical nature of cultural transmission.
Artistic Process
Each piece begins with extensive research into cultural symbols, historical contexts, and personal narratives that inform the conceptual foundation of the work. Materials are carefully selected for both their aesthetic qualities and symbolic significance, with special attention to elements that connect to the Orisa (Divinities among the West African Yoruba).
Creation Process
- Concept Development: Research and sketching to establish the narrative and symbolic elements of the piece
- Material Collection: Gathering papers, fabrics, photographs, and found objects that will be incorporated
- Background Creation: Establishing the foundational layers with paint, ink, or prepared papers
- Layering Process: Building up the composition through careful arrangement and attachment of collage elements
- Detail Work: Adding hand-drawn elements, additional paint, and finishing touches
- Sealing: Applying protective finishes to preserve the work and enhance visual qualities
The creation of each piece typically spans several weeks, allowing for periods of reflection and refinement. This deliberate approach ensures that each element serves both the aesthetic and narrative purposes of the work.
Interested in Learning More?
Explore our gallery in person, commission a custom piece, or join one of our upcoming workshops to learn more about the collage art process.