Name/Title
Royal BeninContext
"Royal Benin" is the first of two textile mixed-media banners for "From Benin to Roots."
According to the clippings attached to the accession record at 1995.1, "the banners are cut out of canvas (sailcloth) and backed, where necessary, with leather. Coleman did the stitchery on a Singer sewing machine in his Harambee-area home and studio. Acrylic painting and applique round out the works."
From the clippings attached to the accession record at 1995.1:
"The story told by the banners begins in what is now the Republic of Benin, but was once old Dahomey, near Ife in Nigeria. Benin was a departure point for countless Africans transported to the Americas during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. According to the artist, the banner is loosely based on two images: the umbrellas used by Benin's royal figures during festivals and affairs of state, and the hourglass-shaped 'bata' drum employed by Nigeria's Yoruba to summon the god of thunder and lightning, Shango.
Incorporated into the 'Royal Benin' banner are a lizard and stars (symbolic of God's creation), an elephant figure (denoting being 'passively forceful and bold' in daily life), two guardian figures and a decorated fan (standing for the Yoruba love deity, Oshun).
Also prominently on view: two hands (belonging to the artist), X's or crosshatching (symbols for Legba/Esu, god of crossroads and thresholds), a serpent and sun (prosperity), cowrie shells, mirrors and tassels (signs of the spirit), and a quilted fabric border.
Coleman stresses that he made the border out of traditional Kente cloth from Ghana. The brown fabric at the top of the banner is from the Ivory Coast of West Africa.
Letters for the words, 'Royal Benin,' in the banner's center, refer to 'the revered Kingdom of Dahomey.'"
Panels such as those at the library 'have a kind of healing power about them,' Coleman believes. 'Cloth has a special ability to warm and heal. There are quilting workers in every black family.'"Collection
Artwork Collection, Wisconsin Art Collection, Atkinson Library CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1995.1Source or Donor
Gerald Duane ColemanAcquisition Method
PurchaseMade/Created
Artist
Gerald Duane ColemanDate made
1995Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
FreewheelersRelated Publications
Notes
Materials pertaining to the artist and the "From Benin to Roots" banner series are available in the Milwaukee Black Arts Movement digital collection: https://content.mpl.org/digital/collection/MkeBAM/.