Press Release: The Black Woman is God celebrates the ingenuity and imaginations of Black women

THE BLACK WOMAN IS GOD CELEBRATES
THE INGENUITY AND IMAGINATIONS OF BLACK WOMEN

The Blueprint: If the Universe Can Be Imagined, It Exists
The Black Woman is God

On view December 12, 2021–February 6, 2022

Thursday, November 18, 2021, San Francisco, CA — SOMArts Cultural Center proudly presents The Blueprint: If the Universe Can Be Imagined, It Exists: The Black Woman is God, on view from December 12–February 6, 2022 with the virtual gallery launching December 12 on SOMArts’ website. This visual arts exhibition celebrates the Black feminine presence as the highest spiritual form.

Co-curators Karen Seneferu and Melorra Green envision The Black Woman is God not only as an exhibition but as a movement-building platform that explores the intersections of race and gender, dismantling racist and patriarchal notions that devalue Black women’s contributions to the world. Now, in its fifth iteration at SOMArts, The Black Woman is God highlights a community of Black women artists whose complex creative practices have influenced the world.

“The Blueprint moves beyond realization that outside forces have shaped the Black community to the actualization that they are their own source of healing,” says Karen Seneferu.

Participating artists include Tiffany Conway whose paintings break generational curses and become portals to new beginnings, and Shonna McDaniels, a prolific artist, teacher, muralist, and community activist who has contributed to over 150 murals in Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Nicole Dixon layers technique and material to embody socio-cultural, political, and spiritual journeys that move viewers toward healing, transformation, and community empowerment.

Programming for this year’s exhibition includes The Imprint with Tarika Lewis on Thursday, January 20, 2022, 6–8 PM PST where participants discuss divine protection and intergenerational healing. Space for this in person event is limited and RSVP is required. On Thursday, January 27, 2022, 4–6 PM PST, We Be Gods: The Conversation explores what it means for Black men and women to view each other as God figures within the African Diaspora and African itself, and looks at how Africans defined Gods for themselves before the onset of colonialism and its bias disruptions of gender structures.

Shonna McDaniels, Whispers of the Ancestors. Image courtesy of the artist.

Ajuan Mance, The Bottle Tree at the End of the Universe. Image courtesy of the artist.

Curators
Karen Seneferu
Melorra Green

Exhibiting Artists
Abayomi Anli
Marissa Arterberry
Lorraine Bonner
Zoë Boston
Asantewaa Boykin
Cynthia Brannvall
Toshia Christal
Tiffany Conway
Diamela Cutiño
Nicole Dixon
Paula deJoie
Alise Eastgate
Takiyah Franklin
Nimah Gobir
Bridget Maria Goodman
Tiarra Asia Knox
Tarika Lewis
Ajuan Mance
Shonna McDaniels
Taylor “Made” Mosley
Coco Peila
Lakiba Pittman
Karen Seneferu
Mimi Tempestt
karin turner – karinsArt

CALENDAR LISTINGS
All exhibition programs and gallery hours are subject to change in response to COVID–19 protocols. Entry during gallery hours is free. To learn more about SOMArts’ COVID–19 safety plan, please visit somarts.org/covid19updates

The Blueprint: If the Universe Can Be Imagined, It Exists
The Black Woman is God
On view from December 12–February 6, 2022
Virtual gallery launching December 12, 2021

Now in its fifth iteration at SOMArts, The Black Woman is God celebrates the Black female presence as the highest spiritual form.

To learn more, visit: https://somarts.org/event/tbwig2021

The Imprint with Tarika Lewis
Thursday, January 20, 2022, 6–8 PM PST
Free with RSVP, in person at SOMArts

Facilitated by Tarika Lewis, RSVP to this free program on divine protection and healing from generational trauma.

To learn more, visit: https://somarts.org/event/tbwigimprint/

We Be Gods: The Conversation with Dr. Wade and Vera Nobles
Thursday, January 27, 2022, 4–6 PM PST
Free, virtual program

This free, virtual program explores what it means for Black men and women to view each other as God’s figures within the African Diaspora and Africa itself. Led by Dr. Wade and Vera Nobles, We Be Gods: The Conversation looks at how Africans defined Gods for themselves before the onset of colonialism and its bias disruptions of gender structures.

To learn more, visit: https://somarts.org/event/tbwigconversation/

#####

ABOUT SOMARTS CULTURAL CENTER
SOMArts Cultural Center, founded in 1979, cultivates access to the arts within the Bay Area by collaborating with community-focused artists and organizations. Together, we engage the power of the arts to provoke just and fair inclusion, cultural respect and civic participation.

SOMArts plays a vital role in the arts ecosystem by helping activate the arts citywide. We do this by providing space and production support for non-profit events, as well as fairs and festivals throughout the Bay Area, and offering a robust program of art exhibitions, classes, events and performances that are affordable and accessible to all. SOMArts’ exhibition programs receive critical support from the San Francisco Arts Commission and The San Francisco Foundation, and are sponsored in part by a grant from Grants for the Arts.

SOMArts is located at 934 Brannan Street—between 8th and 9th—within 2 blocks of 101, I-80, Muni lines and bike paths. For public information call 415-863-1414 or visit somarts.org. Stay connected by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.