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Art can be a testimony. It is an opportunity for artiststo speak their authentic truths and be heard. Thedeeply personal testimonies shared by the KansasCity-based African American Artists Collective andreceived by you embody this powerful reciprocalinteraction. Through a range of media, styles, andthemes amplified by the artists’ own words in thelabels, this exhibition offers perspectives on myriadBlack and African American experiences.The African American Artists Collective (AAAC) grewAFRICAN AMERICANARTISTS COLLECTIVEfrom a 2014 gathering of local, community-mindedartists at Gates Bar-B-Q on Main Street. Since then,the AAAC has increased the visibility of AfricanAmerican and Black artists throughout Kansas Cityand beyond. Although 35 artists are representedhere, AAAC boasts nearly 150 members, many ofwhom have national and international reputations.Together, they advance professional development,build networks, provide mentorship, and engagein social justice.
TRACY MILSAPTRACY MILSAPAmerican, born 1950sVideo stillSPEAK! Speak Things Speak!, 2021VideoCourtesy of the artist“HOME: Our familiar, Our longing, Our belonging. I amcreatively obsessed with Home (intellectually, physically,emotionally, and spiritually). I am awakened whenexploring, returning to, and reclaiming home within thestory landscape. We all share immeasurable tangibles likeblood and soil, and we seek home. Our root story isinformed by it. This makes our collective stories universallyessential and produces the communal testimony of whoand why WE ARE.A single story can be luminous, lasting, and legendary. Ihope each beholder reaches at least one of thosecrossroads and embraces it.”
DEAN LAMONT MITCHELLDEAN LAMONT MITCHELLAmerican, born 1957Photo by Jacob BlickenstaffMr. Dan Bradford, 2021Oil on canvasCourtesy of the artist and Connie Mitchell“I could feel the weight of the trauma of growing upBlack and poor in America: the Jim Crow era, thepropaganda of stereotyped images of our community,the lack of economic development crippling ouropportunity. Even with all this, I found hope in therelentless dignity lifting us to be our best selves. I amMr. Dan Bradford.”
SHERRY LYN MIRADORSHERRY LYN MIRADORAmerican, born 1976Faith, 2021Gold-plated quartz, metal, wire, and 14-carat gold findingsCourtesy of the artist“I have been born into a world that makes me feel I amless than deserving of love. As a person of color this isour walk of life, the constant feeling of needingPROTECTION. This jewelry set represents an ARMORof protection, as quartz is known as a ‘master healer’and gold is associated with love. Red wire is a reminderof the ugly truth of hostility from our past thatcontinues to permeate our nation.”“For we live by FAITH, not by sight.” — Bible,2 Corinthians 5:7
ARIE DEE MONROEARIE DEE MONROEAmerican, born 1979Block and Delete, 2021Digital media (Clip Studio Paint, mixed media) on canvasCourtesy of the artist“My comic, Tornado Alley, became my sounding box forthe frustration and sadness I have felt all these years as aBlack woman. I never imagined it would be relatable to somany others, while telling a story that no one canunderstand more than Black women. We pull ourselvesout of abusive relationships and family dynamics. We fightto be seen as respectable and lovable, often withoutsupport. Every woman has experienced the odd textconversation that starts normal and turns into unsolicitedadvances. This piece is about protecting oneself and notaccepting disrespect in a world that makes beingdisrespected seem normal.”
JOSEPH A. NEWTONJOSEPH A. NEWTONAmerican, born 1972The Hues of Her Father’s Dreams, 2021Acrylic on wood panelCourtesy of the artist“Though my art is diverse, I am drawn to portrayThe beauty in hues where our stories layIn a culture painted as one that is fierceThe realities few have been able to pierceTo profile the legacies deep insideThat one too many have tried to hideAwaken the truths suppressed by menBring light to where our value beginsTo showcase the depth of all God did makeIn which He did not make a mistake”
JOSEPH TYLER NEWTON, SR.JOSEPH TYLER NEWTON, SR.American, born 1950Be forever wonderful Ahmose-Nefertari, 2021Oil on canvasCourtesy of the artist“I wanted to honor my mother, my sisters, and allwomen by painting the female form of ancientKemet/Egypt. The monumental Black characters of theart of ancient Kemet/Egypt affected me at an early age,and I grew to love and respect that culture. This paintingdepicts queen Nefertari as a beautiful woman with verydark skin, as it is believed Nefertari descended from theNubians. She is surrounded by the papyrus plant, asymbol of the female principal in Kemetic/Egyptianmythology. Behind her, in silhouette, is a group ofpapyrus, and at the bottom are yellow water lilies.”
KIM ALEXIS NEWTONKIM ALEXIS NEWTONAmerican, born 1972Embraced Promises, 2020Cotton, Indonesian Batik cotton, fabric fusing, and quiltingCourtesy of Anne Devereux-Mills and David Mills“My work fuses emotional journeys with a time-honoredtradition. Emotion is the thread that ties us together. Iwork to create pieces that tell stories that elicituniversally human reactions.I believe the anger that many only choose to see isfueled by love and fear. Love of family. Love of self. Inthis work of art, it is a mom’s fear of losing her son. Theboy’s face shows his disbelief of the need to fight for hisown existence. Why is the sign down? Because theywere taking a rest in their ‘pursuit of happiness.’”
GLENN A. NORTH, JR.GLENN A. NORTH, JR.American, born 1966Photo by Robert HaleBlackness To Affinity: (or) Journey To A CornerOf The Afrophonic Multiverse, 2021Visual poetry on DibondCourtesy of the artist“Two of my favorite things are Black folks & poetry.With poems I celebrate the Black experience &advocate for social justice. In recent years, I havebecome interested in Afrofuturism as it pertains to thevisual arrangement of a poem, how a poem movesthrough time, & asking the question, ‘How would anAfrofuturistic poem perform on the page?’ And, in theprocess, letting the world know that we are made inthe image of our Creator so Black People Will ExistIn The Future, Black People Are The Future — as amatta fack — The Future’s Black.”
MICHAEL TJON PATTONMICHAEL TJON PATTONAmerican, born 1951Prepossessing, 2021PoemCourtesy of the artist“This poem speaks to the horror depicted in thephotos of naked, burning bodies hanging in hatred’sforest and the smiling faces of young white childrenstanding in the crowd. Their innocent, smiling facesstaring at the murdered, as if it were the most naturalthing in the world. Generational hatred is real andpersistent. The sins of parents burden their childrenwith the weight of a calloused inhumanity that wipesthe smiles from their souls.”
JASON D. PIGGIEJASON D. PIGGIEAmerican, born 1971Father Passes Son, 2018–2021Photograph and videoCourtesy of the artist“My initial motive with this work was to express motionin a still image. But the secondary theme that arosewas of a man and his son journeying through lifeexperiences. The father carrying his joys,disappointments, and expectations to a foreseeablefuture, but the son being stuck and frozen in themoment. My ultimate desire with this work is to imitatea thought of life’s cycles.”
LISA SHEPARDLISA SHEPARDAmerican, born 1964Makola on My Mind, 2019Ankara African printed cotton, hand-stamped cotton,adinkra cloth, and cotton battingCourtesy of the artist“My annual fabric sourcing trips to Ghana, West Africa,usually begin with a stop at Makola (pronouncedMAH-ko-la) Market in Accra. It’s a haven for both localsand tourists, the place to purchase just about anything,including FABRIC! This piece celebrates the energy ofMakola, particularly the crowded, narrow, maze-like lanesof fabric vendors with their goods. This is my testimonyto the richness of Ghanaian culture, mimicking themarket’s everyday mix of colors and patterns that canonly be described as Organized Chaos!”
HAROLD DAVID SMITHHAROLD DAVID SMITHAmerican, born 1962Friday Night Blues, 2021Acrylic, spray paint, and fabric on canvasCourtesy of the artist“Friday Night has traditionally been a time to gettogether with ‘the brothers,’ have a few drinks, maybeget in a few games of pool or even chess. We share thejoys and frustrations of our week and the ups anddowns of the Black experience.Over time, our Friday Nights have taken on more of abluesy, melancholy feel. Talk of sports, work, andrelationships has evolved into discussions aboutretirement pensions and the fact that not much haschanged since we were idealistic twenty-year-olds.”
DAVID STEVENSDAVID STEVENSAmerican, born 1946Fife Master, 1996PhotographCourtesy of the artist“I am motivated to photograph people whom I loveand respect. It is my hope that my photographs notonly capture the moment but also capture myrelationship with the subject, which is one of deepknowing and admiration. It is my wish that through theviewing of my photographs you get a sense of thewhole-hearted investment and bond I share with thepeople in my pictures. The subjects of my photographshave shared the essence of their souls, lives, and heartswith me; there is no judgement, just a celebration oftheir strength and beauty.”
SARA SONIÉ JOI THOMPSON-RUFFINSARA SONIÉ JOITHOMPSON-RUFFINAmerican, born 1951Journey Legacy Series / Black Cherokee:Slyamore, Arkansas, Trail of Tears, Tennesseeto Arkansas, 1830–1850, 2014Machine-sewn American commercial print fabricand African fancy print fabricCourtesy of the artist“Invisible existence, voices unheard of steadfastSilhouettes, from the Middle Passage to the Trail of TearsThe journey I am on is the legacy gifted to me by anextraordinary people, their book has been written, I amstill writing my chapterMy Blackness is a gift, I am humbled to use my art toshare the experience and grateful for the journey”
MICHAEL VANCE TOOMBSMICHAEL VANCE TOOMBSAmerican, born 1955Dispensation, 2020Acrylic on canvasCourtesy of the artist“Dispensation was sparked by personal experienceduring the 2017 eclipse. As the eclipse evolved intocomplete darkness, birds stopped singing, crickets sangtheir song. Trump was in the White House. The earthand our society were on the brink of a terrible change.The truth was broken repeatedly. The people were setagainst each other.The word TRUTH is embedded in the painting. It isobscured by a stream of humanity drawn toward anincinerator creating smoke that spells ‘lies.’”
ALTON “AT” WEBBALTON “AT” WEBBAmerican, born 1949DeadDeadNDead, 2020Acrylic on canvasCourtesy of the artist“At my first glimpse of life, I saw pure light. There wasno Black, White, Brown, Red, or Yellow known to me.Why did it not stay this way? I have seen many acts ofviolence against people, mostly of color, with noconsequences for those actions. DeadDeadNDead isan example of my prophetic works. It depicts peoplethat have been persecuted before and after thecompletion piece. ‘Destiny is truth revealed.’ Love.”
JASON WILCOXJASON WILCOXAmerican, born 1982Survivor, 2021Acrylic, spray paint, acrylic paint marker, oil pastel, ink,tape, and fabric on canvasCourtesy of the artist“IF YOURE READING THISYOUVE MADE IT THIS FARYOURE A SURVIVOR I could tell you what Survivor means to me and what wasgoing on in my head when I created it. But, if you’rereading this, I want you to have your own personalconnection with this painting. I want you to have yourown opinion, with your own free will of thinking, withoutany narrative that could possibly alter how you truly feel.You’ve made it this far. How does it feel?”
The journey I am on is the legacy gifted to me by an extraordinary people, their book has been written, I am still writing my chapter My Blackness is a gift, I am humbled to use my art to share the experience and grateful for the journey" SARA SONIÉ JOI THOMPSON-RUFFIN Machine-sewn American commercial print fabric and African fancy print fabric
