Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
On the corner of K and 16th streets in Sacramento sits an art gallery filled with 40 works of vibrant, multifaceted, eclectic art. The sign reads “Black AF Art Auction.” Each piece in the gallery was created by a Black Sacramento artist and is currently up for bidding.
The “AF” in the title officially stands for “Artist Foundry,” the organization holding the auction, although it also doubles as a colloquial meaning.
The mission of Black Artist Foundry is to dismantle barriers for Black artists, providing them with visibility and support throughout their careers.
In the summer of 2020, Faith McKinnie utilized her extensive knowledge in art history and her experience as an artist to address the needs of Black artists in Sacramento. She felt it important to highlight the racial inequities Black artists faced in getting funding for their art and career. This led to the creation of the Black Artist Foundry.
“Black Artist Foundry is a place where we want to provide visibility for Black artists, specifically those working in Sacramento,” said McKinnie. “My work is rooted in supporting Black artists and bringing historically marginalized artists to the center, ensuring that we listen to them, hear them, support them, and fund them.”
McKinnie raised $10,000 within 24 hours of launching a GoFundMe campaign for Black artists in 2020. Over the last four years, she has raised over $100,000, which has been used to support various Black artists in Sacramento through holding exhibitions, providing studio space, funding Artists in Residence, and other programing.
The Inaugural Black AF Art Auction is the latest initiative to get Black artists’ work seen and funded in Sacramento. Bidding for the artwork began online on May 17 and will end on May 26. Half of the proceeds from the auction will go directly to the artists, while the other 50% will go to the Black Artist Foundry to support more of its programs and mission.
Meet a Couple of the Artists and Their Work
Michaela Stewart
Michaela Stewart is a Sacramento photographer who focuses on film photography. Her work primarily documents Black families through photography. Her art in the auction is called, “A Family Affair.” This piece is a film photograph of her deceased grandmother’s kitchen, taken in 2023 during her illness. Stewart describes how her family took turns caring for her grandmother. One day, during her turn, she noticed the kitchen and decided to take a picture of the stove with the light on over it. She believes this image perfectly captures the essence of her grandmother, who loved to cook and brought the family together through her meals.
Stewart says whoever acquires this work of art may see themselves and their family in the piece. “I hope that it brings some type of nostalgia to them and makes them feel warm and happy. And that they really feel like this is a place for connection for the Black family. No matter what we’re going through in our own lives, we can just come together, have grandma’s fried chicken, cornbread, share our stories and enjoy each other.”
Stewart will host her first solo exhibit, “A Family Affair,” this summer, focusing on the diverse family dynamics within the Black community. The exhibit will run through Aug, 11, 2024.
Ryan Chappell
Ryan Chappell, who goes by the name “Negro First,” is a self-taught painter. Chappell has two works in the Black AF Art Auction: “TouchSomeGrass” and “Peace.” His work centers on family, the Black experience, and spirituality. His painting “Peace” uses animals and multiple color schemes to tell a story about spirituality, freedom, and power structures.
“I hope that people get energy from my painting and that they can look at it every day and learn something new,” said Chappell.
Chappell also has an upcoming solo exhibition “The First Negroes” on Aug. 23- Sept. 29, 2024.
Michael Stevenson
Michael Stevenson is a Sacramento-based artist who was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Though Stevenson works in graphic design by day, he has been an artist since childhood, encouraged by his parents. Stevenson has two pieces in the auction: “Pink Curlers” and “Olivia.” His work focuses on Black lives and their myriad interactions with society. “Olivia” is a riff on Édouard Manet’s famous painting “Olympia,” one of the earlier paintings to feature a Black person. He created the artwork not by painting, but by using recycled paper to form a collage that outlines the figures.
“I hope people see that this is art; it’s fine art. And that it encourages Black artists and people to invest in art.” said Stevenson.
To bid on works by these artists and many more, visit the Black Artist Foundry’s auction site.