Celebrating the Rhythm of Black American Life with Judy Bowman

Black Her Stories

In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Judy Bowman. Bowman is a mixed-media collage artist whose figurative works celebrate the rhythm and beauty woven into the fabric of Black American culture. Born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit, Judy uses vibrant colors and textured paper to illustrate visual narratives of her family, friends, and the everyday elegance of her community.

Considering herself a visual griot, she sees her job to tell stories that are reflective of her coming-of-age in Detroit’s Eastside and Black Bottom neighborhoods. Often compared to Romare Bearden, she too is committed to a Black aesthetic and her craft. Judy Bowman is the recipient of the 2023 Mack Alive Ambassador Fine Art Collection Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2022 Alain Locke Recognition Art Awardee, and a 2021 Kresge Artist Fellow.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Jazz and the Importance of Practice

• Detroit Style and Fashion in the Black Community

• Pride, Dignity, and Respect

Resources:

• Judy Bowman

  • https://www.judybowman.com/

  • IG: judybowmanartist

• Websites:

• References

• Detroit Uprising of 1967

• AfriCOBRA

• Romare Bearden

• Charles White

• Jacob Lawrence

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◉ IG: @blackherstories

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