Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210020
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STACY JONES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
There is a buzz at the Art Museum of Western Virginia. Its source is the ``Spirit of the Motherland'' exhibit, which opens Friday.
``Now that we're right on the cusp of opening, everyone is getting excited,'' said the museum's curator, Mark Scala.
The exhibit of African art and crafts is on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, where it originated. Composed of objects from the museum's permanent collection, the exhibit later will be shown at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News.
"Spirit of the Motherland" grew out of the Virginia Museum's efforts to better reach the African American community - which, according to Richard Woodward, curator of African Art, has been "underserved" by the institution.
``We are trying to build a lasting support group for the museum,'' explained Woodward. ``Not just for the duration of the exhibit, but for the life of the community.''
The goal is the same at the Art Museum of Western Virginia.
``We have a traditional audience which is not as wide an audience as we would like,'' said Scala. ``It's something we need to work on.''
Dr. Marylen Harmon, a member of the community advisory committee member for ``Spirit of the Motherland's'' Roanoke showing, was more blunt.
``The African American community has been slighted," she said. "The art museum has seen that and they are trying to correct it.''
The museum is ``not viewing this as strictly a way to appeal to our African American audience,'' insisted Scala. ``But we are making sure they know we are here. This is an opportunity we hope to build upon.''
Two workshops for teachers will be held at Roanoke's Harrison Museum of African American Culture during the exhibit, and the Harrison is highlighted in "Spirit of the Motherland" brochures.
Scala hopes the collaboration, like the Fifth Street bridge, will help build a connection between Northwest and Southwest Roanoke.
``We tried to link this as a community-wide effort, not just our thing,'' he said. The art museum's interest is not ``just a one-shot deal. We worked hard to build bridges between the communities. We don't want them to just disappear.''
It's a start, said Harrison Museum curator Aletha Bolden, who would like more involved collaborations to take place in the future.
``Hopefully, this isn't [the art museum's] last effort to contact and represent the African American community,'' she said.
The 56-piece exhibit covers 700 years of sub-Saharan art ranging from early works of the Niger region to a 16th-century bronze plaque from Nigeria to a five-foot gilded staff crafted in the 20th century. The works include jewelry, masks, textiles and sculptures.
``African art relates to life, perhaps more so than does Post-Renaissance art in the Western world,'' Woodward said.
``What we use as decorations to hang on the wall will have a life meaning in Africa,'' said Harmon, who has traveled extensively on the continent. ``The art takes on a very human quality.''
An example is the diamond-shaped form from the Kongo culture that is the logo of the exhibit, said Woodward. The icon represents the four movements of the sun - dawn, noon, sunset and midnight, which in turn represent a life-cycle.
The device is used to help the museum present the art in an understandable manner. Viewers will be able to ``walk the cycle of life in the gallery,'' Woodward said. Those ``who pick up on the theme will have an easier time digesting the vast collection.''
``We've taken a certain degree of license with the life-cycle drawing, but it helps introduce a germane theme of African life,'' he said.
A wooden Mende Sowei mask from Sierra Leone falls under the dawn cycle, which represents birth in the African culture. The mask is carved for adolescent girls approaching puberty and signifies new beginnings. A blue, embroidered robe worn by certain wealthy Nigerians illustrates noon, or the fullness of life. Sunset represents the gateway to death and midnight is noon in the land of the dead, explained Woodward.
Harmon believes the exhibit will give people the opportunity ``to feel like you've been there.'' She also hopes the educational focus of the show will provide the public with more accurate insights.
``There are so many negative attitudes about Africa,'' she said. ``This is a way to change those myths.''
Another thing organizers want to change is the dearth of African Americans in museum galleries.
``We need to find out what people would like to see when they come to the museum,'' said Scala.
Bolden suggests the solution may be more complex. The Harrison curator had a few ideas as to why the African American community doesn't frequent the art museum and similar institutions in greater numbers.
First, she said, African Americans in the past were ``concerned with putting food on the table - not visiting art museums. That attitude has been passed down through the generations.''
Secondly, she continued, ``There was a time when African Americans weren't allowed in museums. That has remained in the minds of a lot of people, the stigma.''
Lastly, potential visitors have been discouraged by the lack of works by or about Africans and African Americans. ``Most people, regardless of who they are, like to be represented.''
``The Spirit of the Motherland'' is really the spirit of enlightenment to the Valley,'' said Harmon, who chairs the social studies department at Northside Middle School. ``This is Roanoke's opportunity to take advantage.''
``Spirit of the Motherland'' runs through Dec. 31. Children's workshops, tours, lectures and dance and storytelling sessions will be offered throughout the exhibit's run.
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture has a permanent collection of African art available for viewing. It also will offer a variety of related events during the exhibit.
``Spirit of the Motherland'': Opens Friday and remains through Dec. 31 at the Art Museum of Western Virginia, Center in the Square.
by CNB