prReading Between the Lines from the artist Arun Drummond
Stripes, An Exploration of Lines, Lineage and Legacy:
The stripes in this series represent the strong, family, lines and lineage of the Gullah culture which emerged from its west African roots. The enslaved Africans sustained their traditions, such as sweet grass basket, weaving, language and food ways reminiscent of their homeland, creating a unity that remains alive in the Gullah community today.
Stripes in their natural form are contradictory by design. The sharp change in color, defines division while the repeating pattern evokes unity. There is a rhythm in this back-and-forth that rests calmly like a sense of order, waiting for disruption. Some could consider this as a metaphor for the world we live in today.
The basket woven portion of the artwork is by Carlene Habersham. Catherine is a 5th generation basket weaver from Mt Pleasant SC and her family has run a business in the historic Charleston City market selling baskets since the 1970’s. Fellow family members such as her brother-in-law Corey Alston has his work in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Carlene also collaborated with Corey, her sister Karen Alston as well as a local wood smith to create a four-piece bench set in the International African American Museum in Charleston as a permanent display.
The Habersham and Alston Families have supported Arun Drummond in his efforts to highlight Gullah culture through his art since 2019 when he began incorporating sweetgrass baskets in his mixed media folk paintings.
Print on Canvas, size 11 x 14 inches
Note: all basket components vary per print given their handmade nature.