Arwe Journey

“No, I wasn't born in Ghana, but Africa is my momma” - I’m an African, Dead Prez

The chorus of this song comes to mind when I look through the photos in this collection, and the lyrics notes above really encapsulate the energy and tone of Arwe Journey.

Arwe Journey, a collection of work by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, is a beautifully vibrant collection of paintings, statues, and other forms of mounted abstract artwork. 

The story being told throughout the paintings feels personal, even though the scenes depicted take place long before I was born. Not to give anything away, but the artwork articulates a shared Black experience of entering communities and spaces that have been predominantly white, until our arrival. This collection of work immediately sparks thoughts, taps into emotions, and inspires conversations between strangers — doing what art is supposed to do!

Documenting this opening was an experience in itself, Iyaba created an immersive experience for the grand opening of his exhibit at the Housatonic Museum of Art. The flow of the evening feels like it could have been part of the exhibit, as the evening began with original music, then transitioned into a heartfelt speech, followed by a lively session of crowd work where he actively engaged with patrons to discuss his work, and then the night concluded with an impromptu poetry session by featuring his creative peers.

It’s challenging for me to articulate the support and engagement the crowd had for Iyaba as well as his work, it was very clear that he has spent a great deal of time cultivating his audience and creating authentic works that are greatly appreciated.

The HMA is always a great time, it’s a facility filled with some thought provoking and inspiring artwork. If you’re within a few hours drive of this museum I highly recommend making the trip, you won’t be disappointed.

Peace.