Woman Talk - Girl Talk Women's History Month Feature

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Woman Talk - Girl Talk
Women's History Month Feature

By Walter Greene

In honor of Women’s History Month, noted author Deborah Willis teamed up with M. Liz Andrews to curate an exhibit of eight artistic women at the RFA Gallery in Harlem. `Girl Talk: Narratives by Eight Women Artists’ is currently on display at the gallery located at 2075 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd @124th Street in Harlem. Deborah Willis, photographer and author of `Posing Beauty in African American Culture from 1890 to the Present’ is the present Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging Department at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

"It’s an opportunity to show a range of work of women talking about what’s going on in their lives," said Deborah at the opening of the exhibition. About the name of the exhibit `Girl Talk’ Deborah explained: "I love singer Dakota Staton and I love her song `Girl Talk’ and I wanted to have a range of ideas of what girls are talking about. Her rendition of that song reminds us of the importance of women sharing stories and telling histories. The history of women in this nation is comprised of a multitude of stories, struggles and successes."

`Girl Talk’ is a presentation of photographs, paintings, film, jewelry and quilted pieces exploring the themes of imposed identity, beauty, tradition and self-determination. Deborah was pleased with the outcome of the showcase. "Yea, I am pleased with the outcome. I like the diverse work, the photography, the jewelry aspects that are here within our community. M. Liz Andrews, a performing artist and art administrator who co-curated `Girl Talk’ with Deborah Willis expressed her feelings about the presentation: "I hope to keep the narrative going. I was asked to do this in January, but this idea has always been a thought at the tip of mu tongue. I think it’s a conversation continued. It’s a celebration and an opportunity for reflection about those who give and sustain life with their bodies, spirits and voices. I am pleased and very happy with the show. I love the soundtrack and the representation of the young artists."

The featured artists are: Melvina Lathan, the first female licensed Boxing judge in New York and an artist who uses fiber to create works that range in subjects from portraits, to capturing images of femininity. Her mixed media quilts are on display. Delphine Fawundu-Buford, a photographer, showcased four photos that represented a Nina Simone song titled `Four Women.’ She photographed one woman in four totally different situations. Ifetayo Abdus-Salam another photographer shot a series that reflected the notion of Black Female Power, Sexuality and Identity. Her work included a photograph powdered with tight jeans, big Afro and a machine gun that represented Pam Grier (circa 2005).

Actress Anna Maria Horsford was clearly the most popular artists on display. Her work was attractively unique in a very glamorous way. Anna, who is currently featured in the movie `My Family Wedding’ showcased her jewelry collection on mannequins and on mirrors in a section of the gallery. Her elegant Swarovski crystal and Silver plated necklace adorned a mannequin and her crystal spider design wristclutch entitled `Along Came a Spider’ hung gracefully from a mirror.

Micaela Anaya, a painter influenced by Frida Kahlo and Salvadore Dali did acrylic on canvas in colorful `beauty shots’ that were modern and eye-catching. Her work included `Portrait of a Man’ and `Le Tercera Raiz.’ Carla Williams showed portraits capturing images if femininity and Kathe Sandler, an award winning independent documentary film-maker who explores race, gender, culture, identity and history was also on board. Letitia Huckaby, a photographer and journalist showed quilts of African-America cultural reference.