Bright Skylark News Notes

News Release: Aberjhani Joins Festivities for Savannah’s Local Author Day 2022

3/18/2022

Savannah, Georgia-born author Aberjhani has been included among the authors invited to participate in his hometown’s Local Author Day on March 27, 2022, from 1-4 p.m., in Lafayette Square downtown across from the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. The event is free and open to the public.

Aberjhani’s works as a writer, and editor, include: memoirs, fiction, poetry, and history ranging from titles on the Harlem Renaissance to volumes on Savannah during the Civil War.

He has also in recent years won recognition as an artist and photographer. One of his most notable image series was created in support of efforts to change the name of the Eugene Talmadge Bridge due to its association with white supremacy. Much of his art in general reflects different social, political, and spiritual concerns.

“Like pretty much everybody else, I’ve had to cancel different appearances over the past couple of years because of the pandemic,” said Aberjhani, “so hopefully Local Author Day can help me make up for some of those missed dates while also supporting what has become a major cultural arts happening.”

He added that due to ongoing supply chain issues, copies of his newest works are limited and readers wishing to purchase books or artwork should arrive early to do so.

Local Author Day began in 2013. Writers sign and sell their works for the occasion by invitation only. In addition to giving readers the opportunity to interact with area writers, the event also features the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Parade, in recognition of O’Connor’s birth in Savannah and her worldwide literary influence. These and other activities help generate funds to support the nonprofit O’Connor Home’s various public programs. It is sponsored by the Home in partnership with The Book Lady Bookstore.

“It’s really good to see Savannahians paying tribute to a literary icon like O’Connor,” said Aberjhani, “and I look forward to the day we see comparable acknowledgements in the city of James Alan McPherson. He was another Savannah-born cultural arts hero who happens to have been the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction and whose writings remain influential.”

In the event of inclement weather on March 27, Local Author Day will take place April 3rd. For more information please email the Book Lady at Books@thebookladybookstore.com or phone 912-233-3628.

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Aberjhani 500K Art Collection Commemorates Lives Lost to COVID-19

2/24/2021

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"For the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them" art collection by Aberjhani launched following announcements United States had reached a painful milestone in war against COVID-19 pandemic.

A new art collection at Fine Art America, called “For the 500 Thousand and Those Who Loved Them,” has launched in commemoration of the 500,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide who have died from the COVID-19 pandemic as of February 21, 2021. It also pays tribute to their family members, caregivers, and pandemic frontline workers.

Created by the artist Aberjhani, whose literary works are often quoted on social media, the new collection is called “For the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them.” It currently contains the following 4 prints: 1) the title artwork; 2) Wreath of Grace and Honor; 3) Palace of Psalms and Gold; and 4) Made It Home Again.

Never Considered Themselves Soldiers

When asked why he felt it important to acknowledge the painful 500,000 deaths milestone in the U.S. and more than 2 million losses worldwide, Aberjhani answered as follows:

“Almost from the beginning, the pandemic has been described as a war with an invisible enemy. That description is not necessarily inaccurate but what’s most disturbing about it for a lot of people is they never considered themselves soldiers or marines or anything like that. Consequently, they were not prepared for something like this even though many agree we should have been.”

He further pointed out the striking contrast between losses to the pandemic and deaths during times of war: “Victims of the pandemic and their families have in fact become casualties of this year-long ‘war’ which has now taken more American lives than either World War I, World War II, the Viet Nam War, or our longest conflict, the war in Afghanistan.”

Cost of Art Kept at Minimum

Because of the nature of the commemoration, the mark-up on the title artwork, “For the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them,” has been kept at minimum for all product formats. In addition, the current BNTZLH discount code made be utilized on any of the artist’s work for 40 percent off the same.

"Wreath of Grace & Honor the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them" art by Aberjhani.

The series prints fall into the category of Silk-Featherbrush Artstyle abstracts originated by Aberjhani. Despite the similarity in style, the canvases are unique in their individual palettes with each presenting a vibrant visualization of the title. More extended background information is provided for each piece of artwork on its product page.

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September release date announced for ‘Suzanne Jackson Five Decades’ exhibition catalog

8/20/2019

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Cover of "Suzanne Jackson: Five Decades" with side list of contributors including: editor Rachel Reese, Betye Saar, Aberjhani, Tiffany E. Barber, Melanee C. Harvey, and julia elizabeth neal. (Courtesy of Telfair Books)

Already one of the cultural highlights of 2019, Suzanne Jackson's Five Decades Retrospective at the Telfair Museums' Jepson Center for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia (USA), just doubled its considerable impact with officials' announcement of the September 25, 2019, scheduled publication of the exhibition catalog and immediate acceptance of pre-orders for the title.

A highly-regarded but often overlooked visual artist throughout her career, the opening of Jackson's retrospective on June 27 has brought her increasing international recognition and critical acclaim. The new catalog, edited by Telfair Museums curator Rachel Reese, promises to deliver more of the same with powerful text contributions from: iconic artist Betye Saar, Dr. Tiffany C. Barber, Dr. Melanee C. Harvey, Ph.D. candidate julia elizabeth neal, and author-poet-artist Aberjhani.

As pointed out by Shantay Robinson writing for Black Art in America: "Suzanne Jackson is the flower that sprouts up through the crack of the concrete.... Her passion is evident through more than five decades of work. Despite turbulent times, where racism and sexism might have rejected her, she believes in love and beauty. And this belief sustains" (Suzanne Jackson Five Decades of Encouraging Life).

Table of Contents page from "Suzanne Jackson Five Decades" courtesy of Telfair Books.

A similar observation can be found in Aberjhani's poem, "Suzannian Algorithm Finger-Painted on an Abstract Wall," composed specifically for the catalog. In it, he notes: "Her Life, like her Love, pulses painted poems/ streaking an abstract wall with impeccable grace."

Reflective of Current Trends

Jackson's work in many ways reflects the historical trends which have developed over the past few years and which are likely to influence world culture for the foreseeable future. Strong correlations to Meaningful relevance to demands for environmental justice, the powerful movement to increase gender equality, intensified advocacy to end racism, and expanding cultural diversity are all easily apparent within her work. Moreover, this relevance and the hard-won recognition of the artist's labors comes during the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, a period when a handful of influential African-American women artists first began to pave the way for future talents like Saar and Jackson.

"I don't think the service which the Telfair Museums has rendered the world by creating the Five Decades Retrospective, and which Suzanne Jackson herself has done by living her vision all these years, can be overstated," said Aberjhani. "We're at a tipping point in history where her visualized insights stand among some of the most valuable tools available for engaging in critical discourses of existential consequence and designing strategies for confronting some of our most urgent social and political challenges."

Jackson's retrospective is currently scheduled to remain at the Telfair Museums Jepson Center for the Arts in Savannah until October 13, 2019. To learn about the catalog or pre-order a copy please visit the museum's online shop.

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News Release: Aberjhani Joins Festivities for Savannah’s Local Author Day 2022

Aberjhani 500K Art Collection Commemorates Lives Lost to COVID-19

Never Considered Themselves Soldiers

Cost of Art Kept at Minimum

September release date announced for ‘Suzanne Jackson Five Decades’ exhibition catalog

Reflective of Current Trends

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Categories

News Release: Aberjhani Joins Festivities for Savannah’s Local Author Day 2022

Aberjhani 500K Art Collection Commemorates Lives Lost to COVID-19

​Never Considered Themselves Soldiers

​Cost of Art Kept at Minimum

September release date announced for ‘Suzanne Jackson Five Decades’ exhibition catalog

​Reflective of Current Trends

Archives

Categories

Never Considered Themselves Soldiers

Cost of Art Kept at Minimum

Reflective of Current Trends