Warrior Woman by Cheryl “Mistori” Albert
acrylic paint, gel pens, pencil, gloss medium, watercolor paints
Meet the artist: Cheryl “Mistori” Albert
Inspiration:
The inspiration for this piece is the onye isi-aghaa - aka warrior ceremony of the Igbo tribe. My connection to this piece is my heritage but also recognition of the war I face every day I am in prison away from my child and everyone I hold dear. Some would say it was unheard of or rare for a woman to perform an aghaa. I say women face the threat of war every day; with grace.
What role does art play in your life?
To me, art is paramount. I place art in my life as significant as everything else in my life that deserves my attention, love, and care. My dad and my older brother's interest in art inspired me to create art at the age of 6 or 7 Now it's about my love for art, my wfire, and my children, and GOD inspires me to continue doing what I love.
Artist statement:
I make art my everything because everything is art.
In the AFTI Store:
14 x 18
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
The inspiration for this piece is the everyday battle to not only maintain but to sustain my identity in America as an African in a culture that degrades Black America. I wanted to capture America as a jaguar poised to demolish its prey, Africa, whole. Yet it cannot because of the vast, fierce, beautiful, and most importantly resilient nature of Africa and her people. And though we may be pierced and bloodied at times we are never destroyed.