I had the pleasure of attending the lovely Ms. Imani Shanklin-Roberts' art exhibit this weekend at the Anacostia Arts Museum in Washington, DC. Entitled "An Education," this was the fourth showcase authored by Imani where she displayed some of her latest artwork expressing admiration and liberation of our culture. I took my little brother along, who is an aspiring graphic designer, to hopefully learn a little more about art appreciation.
Although currently a full time student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Roberts is no stranger to the arts! "My dad is painter [and] I use to paint with him, so I've probably been painting all my life." "I took classes at the Corcoran [College of Arts and Design] in DC, and at the Art League in Virginia, so my parents always kept me in the arts," states Imani, as she laughs at the thought. Experience and knowledge are definitely skills that sets Imani above the rest, not to mention her appreciation of our race and heritage. The compassion and admiration she shares for each of her paintings (because you know I asked which was her favorite) only exemplifies the true message each painting possess. I paid attention especially to the fact that no painting at the exhibit had a description. When asked why she said, "I have a special connectivity to all of my art but thats not what I want. You know? I want people to go deeper into their self realizations and see what they get from it."
As a lover of urban culture, and woman glorification, I cherish the work Imani has produced. Her paintings illustrate the many dynamics of African American features. I find it amazing how each painting dominates the thought of maturity, growth and appreciation. She explained how our style, our swag, and even our hair makes us who we are as a people. "I'm all about illuminating different things that actually arts us," she says. Let me just add, guys, that this girl speaks straight from the heart. Museums are no place for true innovators like Imani, who admitted that she would much rather appreciate her art displayed in her hometown (check her out at Busboys and Poets) and in the home of friends and family.
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To learn more about Imani Shanklin-Roberts please visit www.imanishanklinroberts.com,
Hit her up on Twitter at @sr_imani
Or follow her via Instagram at @imanipurpose :)
