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“For me, the art and act of face painting crosses the great cultural divide. A common thread among women universally is the desire to develop and cultivate their physical beauty. I created ‘Emerging for Tea’ to acknowledge and applaud the beauty of African women.
Is this how traditional African women dressed to impress in 19th century Africa? Their efforts were largely based on available materials, tribal history, customs and personal choice. I see their influence in the contemporary dress and face painting of my beautiful Mother, Grandmothers, and Auntie’s. None of which would be seen without a hat to emerge for tea.
My art tells stories that I feel are important, connecting spirituality, tradition, and nature. I’m encouraging one to consider roots as metaphors. Roots, like people, are intertwined and connected.”Label Type
Artist CommentaryLabel
From Valerie's website (https://valeriecwhite.com/biography/):
"My art tells stories that I feel are important, connecting spirituality, tradition and nature. Growing up in a family that loved and respected the earth was an enormous influence. My parents cultivated a fall and summer garden, and enjoying the process of working in “good soil” were my early inspirations and the beginning of my love affair with roots, clay, and wildflowers.
It is the process of creating compositions that suggest multiple layers that fascinates me. I’m attempting to produce cloth that is mysterious and opulent; the idea of seeing almost invisible images created by color and stitch intrigues me.
As a textile artist, my work begins with white fabric and is manipulated using a variety of wet materials. I’m fascinated by what is best described as magical when dye, fabric markers, discharging agents, textile paint are applied to the fabric. The process of layering in cloth is what particularly attracts me. I’m attempting to creating cloth that is mysterious; the idea of seeing almost invisible images created by color and stitch intrigues me.
I appreciate and enjoy working in a series. For me a series provides an opportunity to explore different aspects of an idea or subject. In this “Roots and Refuge” series I’m encouraging one to consider roots as metaphors. Roots, like people, are intertwined and connected. My intent is to challenge the viewer to see the beauty and complexity of roots. As I moved forward with the work, questions arose: are the shapes and colors of roots influenced by where they grow? Would the roots under a church where there are many prayers be different from those that grow under a school? Lastly, who was there before the roots?"