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P. 346
A Artist Profle
I started making dolls about ffteen years ago. Doll I think and create from the rhythms, color and spiritual
making was a fun, creative way to express my thoughts lifestyle of Black folk. Whatever I do in the ceramic
and soon became an inexpensive way to give personal sculptures that I create is really an attempt by me to
gifts to loved ones. When I was a child, dolls did not look communicate with these folk. I create with the dynamics
like me. Therefore, the frst things I wished to do were of the Benin spiritual awakening. It is the powerful Black
to make dolls that I felt had some cultural signifcance force of our people, which comes through me, that I hope
and mirrored my people. Over the years, my work has to give back, so as to perpetuate our ever-present force.
changed signifcantly. My early dolls, although creative, I believe that art can breathe life, and life is what I am all
were simple crafts. Today, I feel my creations have about.
developed into art.
I am looking for that expression that cuts across a
Sharon Tucker cultural grain. “African Nouveau” is the term I use to
Doll Maker describe my present body of work. It is specifcally
Philadelphia, PA African and European in infuence. The images are
African, in general. The concept is 15th century Benin
with the graceful, slender proportions and long, undulating
lines of 18th century Art Nouveau.
When I speak of “folk,” I am included, and I attempt to
communicate with others, through my art.
Woodrow Nash
Sculptor
Akron, OH
Black Diva by Paula Whaley
347
346 347
I started making dolls about ffteen years ago. Doll I think and create from the rhythms, color and spiritual
making was a fun, creative way to express my thoughts lifestyle of Black folk. Whatever I do in the ceramic
and soon became an inexpensive way to give personal sculptures that I create is really an attempt by me to
gifts to loved ones. When I was a child, dolls did not look communicate with these folk. I create with the dynamics
like me. Therefore, the frst things I wished to do were of the Benin spiritual awakening. It is the powerful Black
to make dolls that I felt had some cultural signifcance force of our people, which comes through me, that I hope
and mirrored my people. Over the years, my work has to give back, so as to perpetuate our ever-present force.
changed signifcantly. My early dolls, although creative, I believe that art can breathe life, and life is what I am all
were simple crafts. Today, I feel my creations have about.
developed into art.
I am looking for that expression that cuts across a
Sharon Tucker cultural grain. “African Nouveau” is the term I use to
Doll Maker describe my present body of work. It is specifcally
Philadelphia, PA African and European in infuence. The images are
African, in general. The concept is 15th century Benin
with the graceful, slender proportions and long, undulating
lines of 18th century Art Nouveau.
When I speak of “folk,” I am included, and I attempt to
communicate with others, through my art.
Woodrow Nash
Sculptor
Akron, OH
Black Diva by Paula Whaley
347
346 347
