Written by Dawn Gilbert, Edited by Bianca Basone ‘15
On March 31, Molloy’s Council for Diversity & Inclusion presented an African Art Exhibit in the William J. Murphy Library. Seven art classes, faculty, and the larger student body viewed art and literature from the collection of Stanner parent Damani Nyahuma. A founding member of the Parent Guild and co-chair of the Council’s Black History Month group, Mr. Nyahuma started collecting art 25 years ago.
The collection included a variety of pieces from different cultural events, from street fairs in Brooklyn to museum pieces in Birmingham. Mr. Nyahuma displayed his first African exhibit at the Immaculate Conception School 10 years ago. At that time, Mr. Nyahuma said people felt it was controversial to approach a “Black table” at a school art exhibit. However, that initial exhibit encouraged another parent of Haitian descent to approach him and have a bonding experience.
The intention of the exhibit was to expose students to African art, culture, and literature. Students were able to make connections between ancient and current culture, and realize the representation of continued African culture exists today in modern forms.
Art pieces also displayed literature to relate the visual to background knowledge. For example, statuettes from Kenya were displayed with “Introduction to Black Studies” giving the figures historical context. A portrait of President Obama was paired with a book about Adam Clayton Powell Jr., an African-American political pioneer. A Ghanaian unity statue was paired with the book African Presence in Early America. All were welcome to touch the books and ask questions.
Mr. Nyahuma was present during the event to discuss the artwork and answer questions about the related literature. Students were able to view all the display tables, and listen to Mr. Nyahuma speak about the mosaic of African culture from different places as well as “the culture of today’s people.” After the warm reception, Mr. Nyahuma hopes to continue annual art exhibitions and include Caribbean and Southern Black culture. Mr. Nyahuma concludes, “We all have a culture with something to contribute and it starts with talking.”