In this exhibit Charly Palmer chronicles the spiritual journey of African American as they "wade in the waters" of their experiences of poverty, faith, and injustice in this country. Charly "Carlos" Palmer was born in Alabama and raised in Wisconsin. An award winning artist, he has made a career in graphic design and illustration. His works are in the collection of many collectors around the country.
"Wade in the Water" was a popular song during the anti slavery movement. Harriet Tubman on her many travels on the Underground Railroad sang this spiritual as a warning to runaway slaves. To slaves who were escaping, the song advised them to abandon the roads and to seek the waterways. By traveling along the water's edge or across a body of water, the slaves would throw the dogs and their trackers off the scent. The reference to Jordan could be the "Promise Land" which meant Canada where slavery did not exist. "It chills the body, but not the soul," refers to the hardship of the journey; yet, gives assurance of the body's permanent release from slavery. "Now if you get there before I do, tell all my friends I'm coming too," alludes to the outcome of the success of the venture.
Many of Palmer's works in this exhibit represent the "soul" of African American spirituality. They illustrate that affirmation of life through faith in God that African Americans have depended on to survive. In the painting God is There a man clad in overalls holds a group of bibles up toward the viewer. He seems to offer proof that faith in God's words has sustained us thus far. In His Bible, another dramatic work, a young man holds another Bible toward the viewer. At the top of the composition the date "1955" is written with a church that occupies the background. Palmer uses vibrant colors electric blues and brilliant oranges and reds to heighten the effect of his work. An intensified blue is used in the oversized hands of the young man who seems to grip the bible tightly. There is an odd sense of tensions created by the well defined face of the individual and the flat shape of the body which seems to looks unfinished. Is he conveying to us his abiding faith and belief in the timelessness of the "good book?" |
