Artistic Perspectives: Capturing African American Life with Dr. Schroeder Cherry
Welcome to "The Truth in This Art" podcast with your host Rob Lee! Today, we have the talented Dr. Schroeder Cherry, a native of Washington, DC. He is a Baltimore-based artist and 2019 Sondheim competition finalist renowned for capturing vibrant scenes of African American life, with a focus on the rich culture and community found in barbershops. Using repurposed materials and puppetry in his artwork, Cherry's unique perspective on everyday life and the African diaspora has earned him recognition in prominent museums across the US, including The Art Institute of Chicago, The Baltimore Museum of Art, and more. With a background in senior grant maker positions, Cherry currently shares his expertise as a museum studies professor at Morgan State University.
As we delve into this episode:
- Discover how Schroeder Cherry skillfully captures the essence of everyday life in his captivating artwork, offering a vivid glimpse into the African diaspora experience.
- Join us as we delve into the fascinating origins of Cherry's barbershop series, which began as a daring venture and blossomed into an impressive collection of over 68 pieces.
- Explore Cherry's artistic process as he reveals his innovative mixed media and assemblage techniques, unveiling how he artfully incorporates wood and intriguing objects like keys into his masterpieces.
- Embark on a journey with Cherry as he shares how his travels to diverse cultures in West Africa and Haiti profoundly influenced and enriched his creative vision, infusing his art with cultural resonance.
- Be inspired by Cherry's thoughtful approach to art appreciation, as he encourages viewers to take a deliberate and contemplative look at his artwork, fostering engaging conversations about the profound interpretations they elicit.
Join us for an inspiring journey into vibrant scenes of African American life with Dr. Schroeder Cherry as he shares his creative journey and the inspiration behind his barbershop series, which now consists of over 68 pieces. He discusses his mixed media and assemblage techniques, emphasizing the importance of representing scenes from the African diaspora in his artwork. Cherry also reflects on his travels to West Africa and Haiti, where he found inspiration in their culture and puppetry. Viewers are encouraged to take a slow look at his artwork and engage in meaningful conversations about their interpretations.
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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
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