SYNAPSE & Leap
On Thursday, August 27, 2020 two Black Lives Matter-inspired banners by Dogon Krigga and Ija Charles were installed at Richland Library Main. The 20 x 30-foot public art pieces are on display outside of the building in the library's Plaza and along Washington Street.
"We asked these artists to visually interpret the 'Black Lives Matter' sentiment, and the committee selected these amazing pieces to provoke thought, inspire joy and bring hope for the future," says Executive Director Melanie Huggins. "It is important, during this time in our community and our country, to show that Richland Library and our community affirms the lives of our Black friends, artists, neighbors and colleagues."
One Columbia for Arts and Culture helped the library to commission both banners. A diverse committee of community members and library staff selected the pieces, which received funding through the library's budget that is dedicated for programmatic efforts, such as public art.
Meet the Artist:
Dogon Krigga
www.artbykrigga.com
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Dogon Krigga expresses magick with the use of pixel and paper. Known as “the keeper of the crossroads between magick and mixed media”, Dogon incorporates divine mysteries, transcribed over time throughout their ancestors’ experiences to connect Black people to the future and the past. Dogon immortalizes modern and ancient traditions, wisdom, and theory into majestic and whimsical digital and mixed media collages that venerate those that came before, those that will come, and those that exist outside of time. Dogon Krigga uses their experiences, techniques, and knowledge and training of over a decade as a graphic designer and practitioner of Afrofuturism, along with African Diasporic Religions to illuminate the spiritual paths and possibilities for all whom receive their creations.
Meet the Artist:
Ija Charles
Columbia, South Carolina artist Ija Charles is a self-taught painter/entrepreneur. Her series range from portraits of ordinary people to a diverse sampling of symbols from our day to day culture. These images are then reimagined and reconstructed in her own unique way. Ija plants an idea for each new work and harvests the positive vibes her very foundation is based upon in every piece once sealed with her signature.