The 150 Franklin Street Gallery is participating in the Oct 5th. First Friday Walk with an opening of an exhibition of original batiks from Sierra Leone by Julius C. Parker, "Choema". JMU Prof. Joseph Opala, who lived in Sierra Leone for 17 years, will give a talk about their symbolism and context at 6pm.
Julius Parker (whose professional name is "Choema") is a painter, sculptor, batik artist, and graphic designer. He was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone (West Africa) and attended the Prince of Wales School. After studying commercial art through correspondence courses, he enrolled at Milton Margai Teachers College to study arts and crafts.
Choema's work has earned him both national and international attention. He has completed many public and private commissions with exhibitions in both Sierra Leone and abroad. In Britain he has taken part in a number of group exhibitions in galleries, universities, and educational institutes. Through his art Choema commemorates the beliefs, customs, and traditions of the Sierra Leonean people while paying tribute to his country's astounding natural beauty.
Choema had just completed a series of large-scale murals in one of Sierra Leone's most famous hotels, the Hotel Mammy Yoko, when the AFRC Military junta seized power in 1997. The lives of the citizens were disrupted to such an extent that few people saw his murals until recently.
The war had a devastating effect on Choema's life. Rebel forces entered Freetown in January, 1999 with massively destructive effects. Choema was bayoneted by a soldier who broke into his home to loot it, but unlike thousands who died in the attack, he survived. During Sierra Leone's "rebel war" he produced many works that express the agony of his people and their asperations for peace.
Choema tries to portray ethical values in his work, and to appeal to viewers of his art on an emotional level. He feels that his artistic calling demands that he strive for the spiritual good of his African society.
Dr. Opala explaining the symbolism in Choema's art
Also artworks by Clive A. Turner, Lucy Umberger, and Margot Bergman. Refreshments.
Regular hours: Wed.-Fri. 5-8pm., Sat. 10am-2pm.
Ph: (540) 434-3824.
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Be sure to visit JMU Furious Flower Poetry Center, Dr. Joanne Gabbin, Director: http://www.jmu.edu/furiousflower/
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