



Black Lives Matter: All God’s Children Got Wings
Monoprint on paper
Black Lives Matter: Hope Reigns Supreme
Monoprint on paper
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. A person is a person through other people.
This Zulu proverb speaks to the interconnectedness of all human beings. It reflects a way of life that places the interests of the community above those of the individual. It centers wholeness. It centers dialogue over violence.
Intra-community violence violates our most fundamental rights and principles. It robs families of future generations and individuals of the opportunity to build a legacy. But it also harms communities as a whole. As the benefits are shared, so too are the burdens.
Strongly rooted in the symbols, rhythms, and movements of nature, Johnetta Tinker’s surrealistic collages affirm our humanity by acknowledging the lasting impact of violence on our communities and moving us beyond it to hope. We are called to be empathetic. In honoring not only those lost, but those left behind, the series asks us to wrestle with the fundamental questions: What is my responsibility to others? How do we restore community and cancel violence?
“I am ancient and contemporary. Visions from dreams and personal experiences provide an outlet for my imaginative and spiritual growth. This allows me to find truth in hidden memories. My art is an extension of my ancestry, which deeply guides and directs my artistic expression.”
—Johnetta Tinker