New ‘Voices’ exhibit spotlights art by local Black women
“A Community of Voices,” a timely new exhibit at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend, showcases work by six contemporary Black female artists from Milwaukee.
The six were 2018 inductees into the Sisters of Creativity collective, which recognizes and boosts the work of Black creators. This sextet includes both college-trained and self-taught artists. Their approaches and concerns vary, but most emphasize female forms and figures, and use colors and materials generously.
Some readers will already be familiar with Rosemary Ollison and Tia Richardson, who were named artists of the year in 2019 and 2018, respectively, by the Milwaukee Arts Board. The four ink-and-glitter creations on paper by Ollison only hint at her wideranging and prolific body of work, which often includes clothing and other pieces fashioned from scraps of fabric, leather and other materials.
For a decade now, Richardson has painted murals in Milwaukee neighborhoods, often in a collaborative process that puts brushes in the hands of youth and community members, including the “Sherman Park Rising” mural (2016) and a recently finished triptych of murals on the 1300 block of West Forest Home Avenue. Her portion of the MOWA exhibit includes studies for and prints of murals, giving viewers time to study the spiritual elements in her work, such as “The Rebirthing of the Earth Mother.”
Chrystal Denise Gillon created her “Mama Said” series by collaging fabric and mixed-media elements onto sardine cans. In her artist’s bio for the exhibit, Gillon writes that she “feels nostalgic for her childhood years of the 1950s and 1960s.” That shows in the colorfully patterned outfits she’s made for her two-dimensional Black figures. This series has the energy and visual
Rosemary Ollison’s untitled work from 1996 is on view at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend. stimulation of good art for children, but her Mama also keeps it real for older folks. “Make sure you change your underwear,” she says in one. MOWA is showing 20 “Mama Said” works in a grid. They would make a fine book. Gillon also brings the same mastery of vibrant details to two large collages shown here.
“A Community of Voices” also features artwork by Blanche Brown, Rhonda Gatlin-Hayes and Ruthie Joy. It continues through Sept. 6 at MOWA, 205 Veterans Ave., West Bend. For info on hours, admission and COVID-19 protocols, visit