Photos shot by CJ Benninger
This piece is a part of a series of works entitled “ 5,255 miles.” Five thousand two hundred fifty-five miles. That is how far the village my father was born in is from me here in Detroit. Hiré-Watta, located in Côte d'Ivoire. My parents immigrated to the States about 30 years ago and only recently acquired the papers to travel. On his first trip back to Côte d'Ivoire in 30 years, I dropped off my dad at the airport with a new camera I bought him and instructions to “capture as much as you can.”
After much time spent pouring through many videos and trying to pause at the perfect moment, this series was born. It is a glimpse of a life and people I have yet to experience personally but enjoy toying with in my imagination.
This piece is a part of a series of works entitled “ 5,255 miles.” Five thousand two hundred fifty-five miles. That is how far the village my father was born in is from me here in Detroit. Hiré-Watta, located in Côte d'Ivoire. My parents immigrated to the States about 30 years ago and only recently acquired the papers to travel. On his first trip back to Côte d'Ivoire in 30 years, I dropped off my dad at the airport with a new camera I bought him and instructions to “capture as much as you can.”
After much time spent pouring through many videos and trying to pause at the perfect moment, this series was born. It is a glimpse of a life and people I have yet to experience personally but enjoy toying with in my imagination.
This piece is a part of a series of works entitled “ 5,255 miles.” Five thousand two hundred fifty-five miles. That is how far the village my father was born in is from me here in Detroit. Hiré-Watta, located in Côte d'Ivoire. My parents immigrated to the States about 30 years ago and only recently acquired the papers to travel. On his first trip back to Côte d'Ivoire in 30 years, I dropped off my dad at the airport with a new camera I bought him and instructions to “capture as much as you can.”
After much time spent pouring through many videos and trying to pause at the perfect moment, this series was born. It is a glimpse of a life and people I have yet to experience personally but enjoy toying with in my imagination.
Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in
“If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm.” - An African proverb. Country of origin unknown.
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in
“Taking aim for too long can ruin your eyes” - An African proverb originating from Côte D’ivoire.
Chalk pastel on BFK Rives paper mounted on acrylic painted canvas, 24 x 36 in
"A roaring lion kills no game." - An African proverb originating from Uganda.
Pink highlighter and liquid chalk marker 6 x 9 in
Pastel, ink and acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 in
This piece is a part of a series of works entitled “ 5,255 miles.” Five thousand two hundred fifty-five miles. That is how far the village my father was born in is from me here in Detroit. Hiré-Watta, located in Côte d'Ivoire. My parents immigrated to the States about 30 years ago and only recently acquired the papers to travel. On his first trip back to Côte d'Ivoire in 30 years, I dropped off my dad at the airport with a new camera I bought him and instructions to “capture as much as you can.”
After much time spent pouring through many videos and trying to pause at the perfect moment, this series was born. It is a glimpse of a life and people I have yet to experience personally but enjoy toying with in my imagination.
Chalk pastel on wood board 24 x 36 in
“The only constant is change.”
Oil, acrylic, and spray paint on wood board 24 x 36in
“The only constant is change.”
Ink on canvas 30 x 40 in
Oil on Board 18 x 14 in
Acrylic 4 x 4 in
Chalk pastel and resin on wood panel, 20 x 16 in
"A roaring lion kills no game." - An African proverb originating from Uganda.
Chalk pastel, acrylic, and resin 4 x 4 in
Ink 16 x 20 in
Graphite on canvas board 12 x 12 in
Pastel and cut paper 18 x 24 in
I start with a blue pastel and lightly smear the raw stick onto the blank page. My hands naturally move in sporadic motions. From this abstract blur, I changed my hold on the stick, shifted the colors, and grazed the layout bond until this image emerged.
What I love about chalk pastel is the ability to dance between a wild blaring of sounds and a controlled note on the surface. I wanted to enhance this contrast in my approach to the chalk pastel medium with other elements in the composition. So, I took a blade to paper, outlined a border contrasting the soft background, and mounted it on a blackboard—a fun studio session.
Ubuntu is an African philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of people with their communities and the natural world. The word "ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others.”
This piece speaks to that concept and subtly questions human interconnectedness solely with the “natural world.” Where does the digital world fit into ancient wisdom?
