![]() ![]() My father's from Ghana and I grew up looking at African prints. Then from there, I choose a lot of African cloth. If I think the person looks more chill or calm, I might use blues and aquas, something to make you think of cool water. If somebody looks powerful or fierce, I might use reds or orange colors that make you think of fire, passion, and possibly even anger. Then I choose the colors based on what emotion I want to exude or express with that piece. I was lucky enough to have a Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship, so having a Gordon Parks photo as the source is a tremendous story in itself. Like you mentioned, the photographs are really important to me. How do you go about choosing and blending your colors and your patterns? Is it something- Is it just come to you or are you someone who plans everything out beforehand, how does it work?īisa Butler: I try to plan ahead of time, but it doesn't seem to work. There's layers of fabric that are used, so many for a piece. It was really important for me to get that piece done.Īlison Stewart: You blend colored, patterned bright backgrounds underneath. Creating a portrait of Harriet meant that I had to pay homage to her, and respect her as a woman and as a human being. ![]() ![]() ![]() Let's listen to part of my conversation.īisa Butler: Harriet Tubman is such a large figure in my life and she has been my lodestar or that example of what is a human being, and what should we want to do for others, unlike just for ourselves. I began my conversation with Bisa asking her about how she wanted to expand upon this classic silhouette. The very first piece you see in the exhibition is a well-known image of Harriet Tubman wearing a large skirt, with her hands folded. Given the response to that show, which is set to close soon, we thought we'd bring you a bit of it again. Linda wrote to us, "As a practicing artist, I really enjoyed hearing Bisa's inspiring story and words." Susan wrote, "Such a beautiful interview with a gracious and inspired artist. Bisa Butler, The World is Yours is on view at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery at 18 Wooster Street, and closes this Friday, June 30th.īisa joined me in studio to talk about it not too long ago, and her interview struck a nerve. Before dedicating herself as a full-time artist, she spent more than 10 years in New Jersey public schools, as an art teacher. They could expertly mimic high-end designers, like Dior. Some of the comments included Deborah, who said, "Truly the best work I've seen in a long time, important, magnificent, and moving." Jin commented, "Stunning work."īutler, whose work has been showcased internationally, is a local artist from South Orange, New Jersey, who comes from a long line of women who are sewers, who made clothes. Hundreds of you liked an Instagram post we put up when Bisa was on the show. We spoke to Bisa a few weeks back, and some of you told us you've seen the show. In the corner of those huge works, you'll see the carefully stitched cursive signature of the artist, Bisa Butler. The work is often inspired by the photos by the likes of Gordon Parks and Jamel Shabazz. Those aren't paintings or photos, but intricately constructed quilts depicting Black life, joy, and history. When you walk into the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery on Wooster Street, you'll see colorful depictions of historical figures and faces you may recognize. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine-whose world is this?Īlison Stewart: The exhibition features deeply details, and ornate and enormous fabric pieces. You have just a few days left to catch Bisa Butler's show, This World is Yours, which takes its name from this Nas song. Alison Stewart: This is All Of It, on WNYC. ![]()
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