I met Ekua Holmes many years ago, although I can't remember where. Over the years, however, I have enjoyed seeing her art at numerous exhibitions, and wanted to include it in this blog.
After I took a look at the art on ther web site (www.ejdesignsonline.com/gallery.html), I decided that her work reminded me of Romare Beardon's, the famous collagist. When I mentioned this speculation to her, she expanded my ideas about those who inspired her. Jacob Lawrence has influenced her work more than Beardon, but she does detect Beardon's influence in her work. Of this influence, she says, "Probably just an osmosis of looking at and loving African American art for so many years and the fact that we both work in collage."
Lawrence didn't create collages, but like Lawrence's paintings, Ekua's art features intense, primary colors. Her art is fearlessly bold, yet personal and intimate, as you can see from the two examples below. It "honors the past. It rescues the discarded and forgotten. It lifts up relationships, especially the family," as she has been lifted up.
Newsy Neighbors
Sankofa (below) looks like the profile of a young boy. The texture is thoughtfully lovely, the tones subtle and complementary. Again, the work is intimate, personal.
Most of Ekua's art is priced out of the range of this blog, but these are examples of her more affordable works. (Note that she works in many media, so check out her web site.)
Her work is included in a group show of African American Artists at the Gallery Sol & Bartolome in Santiago de Compostela, Spain during June, 2009. (Note that she works in many media.)
For more information about Ekua Holmes's art, you can contact her at ekuaholmes@gmail.com or 617.262.1988.
Thank you for introducing me to Ekua Holmes. These two pieces really are wonderful and I can't stop looking at them. Collage has a special place in my heart and Ekua captures that place. Lovely.