Narratives of the Soul

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Narratives of the Soul
Narratives of the Soul
Susan Earle, curator
July 8, 2017–September 17, 2017
Gallery 317, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

The Spencer will create an accompanying exhibition, Narratives of the Soul, to present significant African American story quilts drawn from the Spencer Museum’s collection as well from the Kansas City and Lawrence region. Featured artists include Faith Ringgold, who will visit from New York on July 12-13 as keynote speaker for the Quilt Convention, and whose Flag Story Quilt the Spencer is fortunate to own. We will exhibit works by local quilt artists Marla Jackson, Sonié Joi Ruffin, and Sherry Whetstone, all of whom will also present programs or workshops. We will also feature artwork by Viola Burley Leak, Patricia Montgomery (two possible installations loaned from California), Terry Adkins (video and print), and possibly Sara Bunn (clothing). A centerpiece will be historic quilts by former slave and Lawrence resident Maria Rogers Martin, accompanied by African ceramics from the Spencer’s collection shown near the new window, for a total of approximately 45 objects.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin
East Side quilt, 2004–2005
Faith Ringgold; Marquetta Johnson
Viola Burley Leak
Marla A. Jackson
Sankofa, 2007
Marla A. Jackson
First Born, 1997
Marla A. Jackson
Terry Adkins
Black Swan, 2006
Terry Adkins
Apis Mellifera, 1989–2005
Kara Walker; Landfall Press
Marla A. Jackson
Marvin Crum
NedRa Bonds
NedRa Bonds
Patricia A. Montgomery
Patricia A. Montgomery
Patricia A. Montgomery
Sherry Whetstone
Sherry Whetstone
Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin
Marla A. Jackson
Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin
Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin
Joyce J. Scott
Caffeine, 1994–1999
Bechstein
grand piano, circa 1885–1886

Events

July 13, 2017
Workshop
12:00–1:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
July 15, 2017
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
July 15, 2017
Talk
3:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
July 20, 2017
Tour
4:30–5:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art
July 23, 2017
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 315, Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 316, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
August 19, 2017
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
August 27, 2017
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
September 13, 2017
Screening
5:30–7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art Auditorium, Rm 309