The Longer the Feather
The Longer the Feather commemorates Black History and Women’s Months by featuring photographic work by Walter Griffin and paintings by M Jamesly Saint Louis. In his photographs, Griffin shares his fascination with Sunday Church Hats, which began at an early age when he visited and observed a milliner – a hat-maker – create a hat from scratch. These portraits of women wearing striking hats were originally shown in 2004 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis to accompany the play “Crowns”, and it demonstrates Griffin’s long trajectory as a photographer. Jamesly Saint Louis presents a new body of work titled “An Anthology of Art”, which he defines as an exploration into virtual and literary storytelling through painting and poetry. “Every aspect of the exhibition is meant to expand upon the spectrum of Black creative expression”, writes Jamezly. His portraits depict Black lives and experiences as a way to add to history, and as an act of healing.
In addition, a call to images results in a video-loop displayed in the galleries, featuring members of the community wearing their Sunday’s Best.
About Walter Griffin:
Walter Griffin is a photographer from Chicago, who started taking photographs at the early age of three. His images have been featured in more than 150 showings across the country, including the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Studio Museum of Harlem, School of Arts Institute of Chicago, and the Studio Museum of Harlem in New York. One object Griffin enjoyed photographing the most was hats, however his photographic eye has documented jazz musicians, nature, cityscapes, dancers and community events.
About Jamezly:
M Jamesly Saint Louis is an Afro-Caribbean (Haitian) Multi-Disciplinary artist. Growing up in South Florida, Jamezly became interested in art making because of the prevalence of public art namely graffiti and murals in his community. This love for art prompted Jamezly to pursue his artistic endeavors at the Dillard High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet. Since graduating he has been working full time as a studio artist in Pompano Beach, Florida. Jamezly works in a variety of mediums such as photography, intaglio print, and graphite but is more notable known for his oil paintings of Black portraiture. He commonly refers to his paint process as an act of care because to him painting is self-care; but more importantly it is his way of caring for Black stories.
Featured Artists: Walter Griffin and M Jamesly Saint Louis
On View: Bailey Contemporary Arts - January 8 - March 25, 2021.
Walter Griffin
Walter Griffin
Walter Griffin
M Jamesly Saint Louis
M Jamesly Saint Louis
M Jamesly Saint Louis