Ain’t I A Woman? Women of the African Diaspora

Ain’t I a Woman? Women of the African Diaspora included the work of Imna Arroyo, Santa Barazza, Dori Grace U. Lemeh, Raquelin Mendieta, Deborah Muirhead, Charo Oquet, Howardena Pindell, and Belkis Ramirez.

“The institution of slavery has never really been deconstructed because people are still mentally enslaved by the unresolved past. All over the world people of color are still oppressed but are also oppressing themselves through self-restrictions and self-limitations. I believe that healing within the community will begin as people learn to name their pain. I am particularly excited about the work of the women in this show because they attempt to take ownership of their lives, theirselves, and their history through their work.

As Sojourner Truth stated in her speech ‘Ain’t I a Woman?’: If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!

Cultural/historical reference not withstanding, these objects and images maintain a revealing nature affirming the power and impact of art in our daily lives. These women are the conjures the jou jou women, and the priestess of the contemporary world.”

—Colleen L. Coleman, Artistic Director