Sponsored by the UF Center for African Studies, the Harn Museum of art utilized the enchanted February 9th evening to host “Africa Everywhere,” to celebrate the beauty of the arts of Africa and the African diaspora, including the Harn’s newest exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture.
The evening featured local dance and music with the UF Afro Pop and Agbedidi Ensembles, featuring remarkable artists from Gainesville and North Florida.
Image courtesy of The Independent Florida Alligator
“Africa Everywhere,” an Africa-themed exhibition event was one of Harn’s many Museum Nights: monthly showcases that allow visitors to interact with unique art, speakers and attractions. The featured artwork will still be available for viewing following the event.
Thursday’s showcase spotlighted “Posing Beauty in African American Culture,” the museum’s newest exhibition, as well as select pieces of artwork by artists across Africa. Families, friends and art lovers of diverse backgrounds came together to experience, explore, learn and gain deeper understanding of over 100 pieces diving deeper into the stories of the artists and photographers that are represented at the exhibition.
According to Halima Attah at The Independent Florida Alligator, the exhibit, which included works with influences from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, gave some visitors, like 20-year-old psychology senior Danielle Ramsaroop, the chance to learn more about their background.
In her article she indicates conversations by Ramsaroop, Augusto Soledade, Karen Garren, Kuwala Ngwee Avery and Kristen Louder.
“I do want to know more of my roots,” Ramsaroop said. “I’m hoping that by looking at these artistic things I’ll be able to figure it out.” She claimed that being around genuine African art inspired her to research her Malian and Nigerian roots.
A number of American-born artists were given a platform by the Harn’s display, demonstrating the transnational impact of African patterns on their works. One of these artists was Kehinde Wiley, whose modern portrayal of the late President Barack Obama propelled him to popularity in 2018.
The entrance to Thursday’s exhibit collection was highlighted by Wiley’s colorful representation of two Senegalese men, “Dogon Couple.” Throughout the evening, the museum attracted a continuous stream of guests, many of whom paused to gaze at the African prints and striking colors.
For Augusto Soledade, a UF dance professor, Wiley’s painting drew him further into the showcase. “I love Kehinde Wiley’s paintings,” he said. “I was mesmerized by the level of detail and realism you can see in it.”
Soledade, an African descendant himself, stressed the significance of Wiley’s work in educating others about the contemporary side of African culture. “Africa is not only about the past,” he said. “It’s about the present and the future.”
Appreciating the African continent starts with being open to learning new perspectives, said a 69-year-old UF alumna Karen Garren. After traveling to eastern Africa in the 1980s, she has a desire to learn more about it and to inspire others to do the same.
“We’re a global humanity,” Garren said. “We have to learn from each other.”
Kristen Louder, a 22-year-old UF alum and performer at the event, said participating left her excited to see a more culturally diverse Gainesville community. “I am always open to put on a show for my Black community…in the Gainesville area,” Louder said. “It’s very important for everyone to come out here and see Black culture.”
Some visitors were moved to consider the benefits of cultural appreciation as the sounds of traditional West African instruments filled Harn’s exhibit hall. The sounds of African drums were therapeutic for Kuwala Ngwee Avery, a retired business specialist from the University of Florida who is 69 years old.
“Being a part of my African history brings me joy,” she said. “I’m so happy to have reunited with my people that we were separated from many years ago.”
Given the profound connections between the histories of the United States and Africa, Avery said it is essential to honour African culture during Black History Month.
ABOUT THE HARN MUSEUM OF ART
Since opening in 1990, the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida has been a cornerstone of the North Central Florida arts and culture ecosystem. In addition to serving the students and faculty of the university, the Harn is the most prominent fine art museum in the greater north central Florida region, and demonstrates its commitment to being a cultural resource through its free admission and art-centered experiences. The museum is known for developing high quality and relevant exhibitions–drawn from its collection of 13,300 artworks–many of which have toured across the United States. The Harn Museum of Art’s facility contains eleven galleries that feature dedicated space for each of its collecting areas (African, Asian, modern and contemporary art, and photography). Since the Harn’s opening, it has served more than 2.5 million visitors. The Harn continues to grow with the community by expanding its space for exhibitions and activities.
