Herstory/Mystory

Herstory/Mystory is a community collaborative art project that links art with personal and cultural history.

In it's initial phase, Harlem based artists, Elvira Clayton, and Walford Williams,
worked with a group of girls from The Harlem Children's Zone, A Cut Above Program.

They collaborated to create a multi-media art installation that pay homage to female ancestors and matriarchs from their community and cultural history.

The artists directed the girls to look within to identify role models.

The installation debuted at Chashama 461 Gallery, November 25, 2008 and received an enthusiastic response from it's viewing audience.

The focal point of the installation, an assemblage of 21 red boxes, symbolize vessels that embody narratives of the women's lives.

Women featured in the work include
historical figures, community leaders, writers, artists, mothers and sisters.

The installation featured a sound, video and audience participatory component.

The audience participation element was well received and created an unexpected emotional response from the participants.

The viewer was invited to honor a woman from their life by simply writing her name or noting a story about her :

Aunt Rosetta lived in a house on a hill alone.
she had a well for getting her drinking water.

Beluah Smith Harrigan
my grandmother orphaned at a young age
in the Virgim Islands. She never let anything stop her.......

Oma (Louise Meyer Goulet)
My Grandmother.
Experienced World War II in Germany with bombs surrounding her house..........
Raised a magnificent family from scratch. R.I.P.

.....She wore red lipstick to church on Sunday.............

Tell us your "her story" ;

Honor a woman from your life

You can simply write her name or leave a narrative about "her story".

E-mail your contributions to
herstorymystory@gmail.com


If you or your organization would like more information about Herstory/Mystory, including exhibition and workshop information please contact
Elvira Clayton or Walford Williams at herstorymystory@gmail.com


This project was made possible in part with public funds from the
Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
Also
MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY chashama
And
The Harlem Children's Zone, A Cut Above Program