Ashanté Kindle and Khari Turner will come to Michigan Tech next week to discuss their joint exhibit, Copper Planted Seeds, currently on display at Finlandia University. With “Seeds”, Kindle and Turner seek common ground between the history of the Keweenaw Peninsula and their life experiences as Black American artists. The theme of their exhibit is “sisu,” or human grit and determination, in the face of daunting circumstances.
“Initially when thinking about making work for Copper Planted Seeds, I thought a lot about the history of the area and the role Black people played in that history,” explained Kindle. “I often find myself thinking about the ways our bodies have shaped the land of this country both physically and metaphorically. Those histories are often not recorded but what if we were able to call upon the land to be the true storytellers. What would it reveal?”
Kindle and Turner discuss life, art and influences
The event at Michigan Tech will take place on Wednesday, September 29, from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. in the Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC) , Room 103. All are invited. The artists will begin with a presentation on their life, art and influences, followed by time for audience questions.
Join Kindle and Khari again on September 30 for the closing reception of their exhibit, Copper Planted Seeds. The reception begins at 7 p.m. and the artists’ talk is planned for 7:20 p.m. in the Finlandia University Gallery. The gallery is located inside the Finnish American Heritage Center at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock. Copper Planted Seeds will be on display until October 5.
For further information on the presentation at Michigan Tech, contact vpdi@mtu.edu. For the Finlandia University Gallery, contact gallery@finlandia.edu.