Artifacts and Artwork in the Special Collections

The African-American Research Library has an extensive collection of artifacts and artwork. View selected pieces and additional information below.

	Replica of a map of Africa by Sebastian Munster (1489-1552) circa 1550s. This map was originally crafted on woodblocks and then with ink printed on paper. The title at the top translates from Latin into "Universal table and description of all of Africa, outside of the Ptolemy's limits."
	Print by Augustino Brunias (1730s), he was an Italian painter who worked in the colonies of the Lesser Antilles on the island of St. Vincent. His focus was the everyday life with an escapist view of life in the colonies to satisfy his absentee planter clientele. Dorothy Porter Wesley Collection.
	"Our Journey from Freedom to Enslavement to our Own Upliftment" June 2000, by Jamaican-born painter Errol "Elgo" Lewis. His paintings adorn the walls of many offices and homes in the Sunshine State, where he lived for a number of years prior to relocating to Jamaica, including the home of renowned poet Maya Angelou.
	"Fashionable Women" c. 1975 by Carlo Jean-Jacques  (1943-1992) from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Jean-Jacques's style has been called Haitian Impressionism, his paintings reflect the grace and dignity of poor country people. Hewitt Collection.
	"La Tolerance" (Tolerance) by Bernard  Emmanuel Benito, represents artists B.B. King and Carlos Santana. This is a poster replica and is autographed by B.B. King. Beneito is an Algerian painter whose style is called post-expressionism, is passionate about the Blues and uses rich ochre's, blues, deep ultramarines and glossy fuchsias to express his art.
	Poster of AARLCC program celebrating the Negro Baseball League in 2004. The poster is also signed by various players such as John L. Gray - Indianapolis Clowns Billy Felder - Indianapolis Clowns Walter Gibbons - Indianapolis Clowns Clifford Brown - Indianapolis Clowns Raydell Maddox - Homestead Greys Tuskegee Hall of Famer Richard 'Buck' Shaw - St. Louis Cardinals Sherman Carter Dr. Jorge "Chico" Arenas Alfred B. McCoy
	"Three Indians" c.1961 By Haitian painter Alexander Gregoire (August 29, 1922 to July 28, 2001), is from the seaside town of Jacmel. He took up painting in his 40s and is  part of the "primitive" art or "intuitive" art movement characterized by vivid, raw colors, a spatial composition and use of proportions that did not abide by any of the laws of modern aesthetics, but rather revealed spontaneity, freedom of expression and freshness. Hewitt Collection.
	Painted tapestry on fabric, from Ethiopia  showing a scene from daily life. Donated by Mr. Thomas P. Burgess, 2005.
	"Shoreline Scene" by M. Mossoni or Mossom circa 2001. c.2001. oil painting.
	"Women with Basket" c.1978 is a paper collage by Luce Turnier, from Jacmel  (February 24, 1924 to 1994). One of the few Haitian women painters, she is the most famous woman artist from Haiti. Her artwork has been featured at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, and the Smithsonian Institute, and many other places from Haiti to Germany. Hewitt Collection.
	"Tales" 1998 by Jonathan Green (b.1955) depicts life on the Gullah Islands of the coast of South Carolina, where he was raised by his grandparents. Mr. Green has also published a book on his many works representing scenes from the Gullah Islands called Gullah Images.
	This is a Shekere, which is a percussion instrument from Africa, used for folkloric and popular music. It is called different things throughout the continent such as the lilolo and the axatse. The instrument is predominantly used in Nigeria, and it is made from small gourds that grow on the ground. They are made by drying the gourd for several months then removing the pulp, seeds, and scrubbing before beadwork is added as well as color. The shape of the gourd determines the sound of the instrument.
	"Sequined Bottle" c.1985 by used in voudou ceremonies as well as decoration. Hewitt Collection.
	"Haitian Landscape" c.1960 by Fran Venge Valcin. Hewitt Collection.
	"A Generation of Creative Genius" c.1990 is a replica poster by Varnette P. Honeywood, created for the Atlanta Black Arts Festival. Ms. Honeywood is an illustrator, her works focus on the vibrancy of black culture despite the barriers of racial oppression. This particular piece represent the unique and multifaceted contributions of black people to American arts, with from left to right, a dancer, a writer, a painter, and a musician. Ms. Honeywood is known for her work on the Bill Cosby books "Little Bill Series".
	"Visit Senegal" is a tourism advertising poster from Senegal in West Africa c. 1966, by Papa Ibra Tall (1935). Tall is an artist from the School of Dakar responsible for Pan-Africanism, the art movement to use both paint and textiles together. Theses changes occurred during the post-Independence period and helped define modern African art and artists. Tall is also known for his tapestries and his interest in and promotion of the textile arts leads to the establishment in 1965 of the of the Manufacture Nationale de Tapisserie (Senegal National Manufacturing) of which he was also the director (1960s and 1970s). This piece is made of both fabric and paint on wood.
	African decorative mask. Dual design of a fish and a face carved out of wood with intricate beading and metal work to accentuate the features.
	Page from Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization, published in New York dated Saturday November 14, 1863 Vol.7 No.359. This article is about "Negro troops in the Southwest".
	"La Sirene" c. 1975 by Luckner Lazard (July 7, 1928-1998) from Port-au-Prince. He was considered one of Haiti's best artists and his reputation is international in scope. This piece represents a sequined flag depicting a mermaid, flags like theses are often made to represent different deities of the different nations (or families) in the vaudou religions. Hewitt Collection.