This information was pulled from a recent docent newsletter. This group of dedicated volunteers consistently provides great art experiences for our visitors. Below a docent shares a recent experience

TALLE BAMAZI PORTRAIT EXHIBIT

            Twice I have had to good fortune of “being in the right place  at the right time” with the Talle Bamazi exhibit.  On the first occasion,  when my tour group approached the portrait of Ron Anderson,  it was being viewed by a gentlemen who turned to greet my group.When I realized that he was Ron Anderson,  I asked the students if they might know who he was.  They quickly made the association that he was, in fact,  the person in the painting.  He spoke with them very graciously and  answered their questions and explained that he was holding a palette in the painting because he also was an artist.   Among his works are the murals in the State Supreme Court chambers.  After he spoke with the group,  he graciously shook each of their hands. When the students joined the rest of their class,  they were so proud to say that they had “met an important man.”

            Last Thursday as my group approached this exhibit,  we were again greeted  by  a gentleman in front of the paintings.  After  Talle Bamazi introduced himself to me and to the group,  he told them of the steps involved in creating the paintings and answered their questions.  (Why is Kojo Kamau holding a camera?–Because he’s a photographer.  What are the significance of the shells in the paintings?– They were used as currency and to adorn the body. He emphasized that the symbols were important to remember history.)   Talle then told the group that he came from Togo in Western Africa and came to America not knowing English,  though he spoke about 7 other languages.  A quick eye among the students recognized Talle’s self-portrait  and his native dress.  He gave each of the group a card of the Kiaca Gallery and again they were each told good-by with a gracious hand-shake.  After a stop to compare the James Roy Hopkins, “The Children of the Cumberland”, with the Talle portraits,  the children bounded up the steps to get their coats.  One of the girls,  with a glowing face, said   “This place is FUN!”

And that’s  what keeps us coming back!