PRIVATE VISIONS

Seers, those who can penetrate beneath the surface of things, have always held an exalted position in African culture. The African tradition of inspired vision has permeated the African-American community since the slave craftsman created gri-gris and other protective amulets for his family and friends. One who "sees" visions unseen by others is considered a sacred individual within the African community and is at once embraced and given his or her sacred space.

In the same way, African-American artists today work within a sacred space that is theirs alone. These deeply personal and internal views, emerging in the works of both trained and self-taught artists, represent some of their strongest expressions of divine inspiration. These visions are often rooted in spiritual values, and frequently they are given initial shape in dreams or unexpected imprints of images on the mind.