I absolutely love the mixed media work of Nigerian born, LA based artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby … and I really, really love where this 2016 piece is hanging right now. “Wedding Souvenirs” {acrylic, colored pencil, collage, and commemorative fabric on paper}, is currently part of a beautiful and important show at the Smithsonian…

“I Am… Contemporary Women Artists of Africa” [opened] at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art on June 20, 2019. Featuring works by 27 of Africa’s leading modern and contemporary artists, all of whom are women, this exhibition highlights the vital contributions of women to numerous issues, including the environment, identity, politics, race, sexuality, social activism, faith and more. Taking its name from the 1970s feminist anthem, “I Am Woman,” this exhibition updates and broadens perspectives on women making art. The exhibition continues through July 5, 2020.

*When the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., conducted a collections assessment five years ago, it revealed that only 11% of named artists in the museum’s permanent collection were women. Since then the museum has doubled the number of women artists in its collection and is addressing this deficit head on by increasing the representation of women not only through acquisitions but exhibitions, publications, programs and professional advancement.

Amen. Let’s hope every institution – in every discipline all over the world – does the same. It is way past due.