HUM 112: World Cultures II
Week 9 Assignment 3
Professor Diane McGeehan
10 Curated Art Works for the Mother’s Way Museum
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction
It is with sincere appreciation of every artist and each piece chosen for this exhibit, that I humbly invite you to the Mother’s Way Art Appreciation event in Philadelphia, PA. Out of hundreds of pieces, I have selected ten that are admirable, and also thought provoking. I invite people from all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds to enjoy the emotional intrigue while witnessing the masterpieces that will be on display.
As seen on our Social Media and Direct Mail pieces this event is absolutely FREE! In exchange I would like all attendees to share their thoughts and feelings about the work displayed here. We will be providing an open mic and stage for viewers who wish to give a two-minute presentation of their impression of the pieces on display. This is not mandatory, but all are welcomed to share. Please sign up at the membership kiosk if you wish to be a part of the live discussion. We want everyone to feel free to express appreciation for the arts. Participants will be heard on a first-come first-served basis.
About Us:
Roxanne D., Curator
Mother’s Way Museum is a place where I decided to display art I chose to show appreciation to my Mother, Betty Jean, who passed away in June 2017. My Mother was a life-time learner and lesson-teacher. The paintings chosen here, all in some way remind me of conversations I had with her about life, education, experiences as a woman, and also a mother. We discussed history and cultural arts. My Mother was a firm believer in taking the time to learn your history. She would say, “...It may be difficult to know where you're going in life, if you don’t know where you have come from. History often repeats itself. The past will most times determine the future.” My Mother lived to be 70 years old. And in those years, she acquired knowledge and experience that she often shared. In May of 2016, my Mother earned her master's degree in Human Services from Abraham Lincoln University in PA, all while she was battling cancer. She would always say that her job on this earth was to teach and inspire me, my siblings, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several other members of our family and friends. And that she did. I have invited to my family and friends to join me while I present this exhibit to you, our precious audience.
In this exhibit you will see art work from 18th century time periods, up to and including modern art, from artist of today. I hope you enjoy every minute of it! Feel free to ask any questions you may have and share your love of art on stage during our Open mic presentation.
THANK YOU
Artist: Elisabetta Sirani
Virgin and Child. 1663
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
I chose to share this piece as it is a display of unconditional love between a mother and her child. This is a depiction of the biblical icons, The Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Son Jesus.
Girl with a Pearl Earring, 1665
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
The Mauritshuis in The Hague, Netherlands
I chose this painting because the girl reminds me of my Mother how she dressed in her younger years. My mother wrapped her hair like this and wore earrings like this as well. This piece is from my favorite era of art, the Baroque period.
Artist: Kitigawa Utamaro
The Fickle Type, from the series Ten Physiognomies of Women. circa 1793
Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division. The New York Public Library/Art Resource, New York
I chose this piece because this reminds me of advice my Mother gave me on being sophisticated, smart, and maintaining your beauty, especially in public.
Artist: Francisco Goya
The Third of May, 1808. 1814–15
Museo del Prado, Madrid
I chose this painting from the Romantic period because it reminds me of conversations I had with my mother about casualties of war. We spoke about how unfair life can be to those who are the innocent parties in some situations. War invokes change, and death is part of war.
Artist: Artemisia Gentileschi
Judith and Maidservant with Head of Holofernes. circa 1625
The Detroit Institute of Arts
I chose this painting because of the implication that ‘Judith’ beheaded a man and her expression showed no remorse as if this was her duty. I’ve learned from my Mother that when a woman sets her mind to do something, she usually does what needs to be done. And most times it’s without help from a man.
Artist: Jacob Lawrence,
In the North the Negro had Better Educational Facilities, panel 58 from The Migration of the Negro. 1940–41
Gift of Mrs. David M. Levy. The Museum of Modern Art.
2014 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation, Seattle/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
I chose this painting from the Harlem Renaissance because of its ethnic and educational nature. My Mother grew up in the 1940’s and she was taught very young by my grandparents about the importance of education, especially to minority women. Mother reminded us of this throughout her lifetime.
Artist: Ernest Meissonier
Memory of Civil War (The Barricades). 1849 (Salon of 1850–51)
Musée du Louvre, Paris. Inv. RF1942-31
This piece was chosen for its raw image of poverty, sickness and death that are a part of past history, and present history. In some places in the world, you can find a scene very much like this. I think about the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Some parts of that island are still destroyed and so many lost their lives. This to me, is an example of history repeating itself which my Mother and I spoke about.
Artist: Maxime Du Camp
Westernmost Colossus of the *Temple of Re, Abu Simbel. 1850
. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gilman Paper Company Collection. This was plate 107 of Du Camp’s album Egypte,
Nubia, Palestine et Syrie (Paris, 1852)
I chose this picture because in 1995 my Mother travelled to Egypt and took pictures in from of pyramids and temples just like this one. With the exception of small weather erosions, many of them are still intact since they were built hundreds of years ago.
Artist: Daniel Nadeau
Outer Space Painting - Out of This World, 2014
I chose this painting because it reminds me that our world and the universe is a fascinating work of art by God, The Creator. My Mother instilled in me to be thankful to God, and to see as much of the world as you possibly can before your time here is up.
Artist: John Constable
Landscape and Double Rainbow. 1812
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
I chose this Constable piece from the Romantic period as the finale piece because it reminds me that no matter how bad things get, or how bad I feel about my Mother no longer being physically here with me, to look for the rainbows in life. And yes, sometimes you will get to see two rainbows. To me, this is a double confirmation that things are going to be ok. Mother taught to me stay strong and always be optimistic.
IN CLOSING
I would like to thank my Mother for providing me with so many meaningful memories and lessons about life. I hope you all enjoy this exhibit. This artwork allows me to reflect on the relationship I had with my Mother and how much of an impression she had on me as an African-American woman in America.
Sources
1. With the exception of The Daniel Nadeau painting, all of these other pieces can be viewed in the text book The Humanities Culture, Continuity and Change by Henry Sayre
2. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/out-of-this-world-daniel-nadeau.html