A few weeks ago Le Kid and I headed to a homeschooling meet up at the Craft & Folk Art Museum. Although I’d seen it plenty of times on our way to LACMA or the Tar Pits, I never really felt the need to go. But because I’ve been looking to meet more homeschoolers (and because the exhibit we were seeing featured the work of a black artist by the name of Sonya Clark), we decided to venture out.
I’m glad I did. Not only is the Craft & Folk Art museum (CAFAM) larger than I expected (it looks pretty small from the outside, but is actually three stories tall), it was actually pretty cool. And their gift shop? DOPE!
When we first stepped into CAFAM, a large portrait of Madame CJ Walker made out of combs hung near the entrance.
Sonya Clark, Madame CJ Walker portrait
Although we got to tour the museum an hour before they opened and were there to see the Sonya Clark exhibit, we were able to check out some of the other installations as well. Currently, they are showcasing the art of Alaskan folk artists, and we saw some pretty cool paintings, photos, and sculptures. Some were even made of walrus belly!
I wasn’t familiar with Sonya Clark’s work before our visit, but I enjoyed checking out her exhibit which was all about hair.
Here’s how the CAFAM described her exhibit:
Drawing from her African-American, Scottish, and Caribbean roots, Clark incorporates both the actual hair of African-American women and culturally associated hair-braiding techniques into textile form and sculptural objects. Her symbolic and innovative interpretation of materials and weaving processes explore the layered historical and intergenerational contexts of racial identity, disenfranchisement, and definitions of beauty within African-American cultures.
Le Kid got a kick out of Clark’s Abe Lincoln with an afro, and I was amazed at how hair could be molded into art (and even necklaces!).
Abe Lincoln with ‘fro!
If you get the opportunity to see Sonya Clark’s work in your city, or if you’re in Los Angeles and want to check out something besides the standard (and sometimes way too pretentious) art museums, be sure to stop by the Craft & Folk Art Museum! We will definitely be heading back.