Wednesday, February 26, 2025 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Virtual on Zoom
An Artist with Swag
Join us for a conversation with mixed media artist Judy Bowman
on Wednesday, February 26
at 6:00 pm EDT. Free online. Register: https://bit.ly/3WX9LSN
Judy Bowman creates celebratory narratives that illuminate Black culture, community, and her memories growing up in Detroit. The artist recently opened her first museum exhibition at the Flint Institute of Art in Michigan, titled “We Loved the Swag: From Black Bottom Until Now” (through April 19, 2025)
Considering herself a visual griot, she sees her job to tell stories that are reflective of her coming-of-age in Detroit’s Eastside and Black Bottom neighborhoods. Scenes in her vibrant collages depict love, community, and a type of fellowship that resides in jazzy nights, the sway of young Black women and the swag of young Black men, church on Sundays followed by family dinner, family outings, and cultural dignity and richness.
In the words of the artist:
“I am often told my collage work recalls the style of Romare Bearden’s photomontage compositions. I see my collages in the traditions of Kerry James Marshall and his use of black paper for most of the figures in my work. I am also inspired by the aesthetics and talents of Charles White, Gordon Parks, Elizabeth Catlett, and Benny Andrews. Like their works, my collages serve as archives of Black life and resilience; style and pride; music and spirituality. I envision myself as a visual griot. My work is created to tell the story of how I see my people, how we lived, and the power of our lives.” – Judy Bowman
IMAGES: Artist Judy Bowman; Hanging Out at LaFayette and McDougal II (detail); The Golden Time of Day (detail)
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Judy Bowman is a mixed-media collage artist who was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Bowman’s work appears in private and public collections–nationally and internationally–including Institutional and Permanent Collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Mack Alive, Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Sarasota, Florida; The Free Press building, Detroit, Michigan; R.W. Norton Art Gallery/ Museum, Shreveport, Louisiana; Georgetown University Library, Booth Family For Special Collections, Washington DC, US Department of State, Art Bank Program, Washington, DC; and the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan.
After Bowman retired as principal of the Detroit Academy of Arts and Science in 2008, she rebooted her career as an artist. She lives in Romulus, MI.
The Cinque Artist Program is named after the Cinque Gallery founded by artists Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, and Ernest Crichlow in the late 60s. The gallery served as a catalyst for artists and curators of color to exhibit, but also as a place for networking and building community. Our series promotes presentations from professionals, and practical information, as well as provides a platform for artists to showcase their work. We encourage adult artists, students, and enthusiasts to share in discussions in an intimate setting.
Topics include global travel, artist portfolios, Uptown Galleries, and more. This is the second year the Foundation has partnered with the Harlem School of the Arts to host the series.
This program is part of the Harlem Cultural Collaborative of Harlem One Stop