Ambassador June Carter Perry Tuesday launched an art exhibit which was established by the United States of America in 1964.
The ambassador, in her remarks, said the Art in Embassies Programme was a global museum that exhibited original works of art by U.S. citizens in the homes of 180 American ambassadors worldwide. And it’s comprised of art loaned from galleries, museums, individual artists, and corporate and private collections.
Ambassador Perry revealed that they hoped that “this exhibit here will provide you and all our visitors with a sense of the quality, scope, and diversity of American art. The works on display present the accomplishments of some of our most important citizens, our artists. These works reflect the bloodlines of ordinary Americans.”
She added that, “as a people, our blood is heavily laden with that of our originators—native American Indians of many tribes. Continents of origin for many others who came to America began in Africa, Asia and Europe. Almost every American has Native American Indian heritage as well as African, European and Asian ancestors. Out of all these groups, we have truly become one people, one family related through our mutual history and mutual ancestors from all walks of life, including that that of presidents.”
About the message the art has for Sierra Leoneans the Ambassador stated that they hoped the people of Sierra Leone would take from this collection.
She said although there were many differences as some people began life through speaking French, while others began with Spanish and others German.
She stressed that, “we have become one people who support one president, whether that individual was our personal choice or not we unite strongly behind one leader”.
She went on, “we as Americans are proud of our diversity, and I think the works in this exhibit capture the peoples who play a role in making the United States the dynamic country.”
The connection between Sierra Leone and the United States on the arts, the ambassador said, they had selected works that explore the symbolic elements of African American life.
Arts of Jacob Lawrence’s Revolt on the Amistad, depicts the uprising led by Sengbe Pieh, which has had a lasting impact on both countries.
Some of the pieces were painting from Wayne Wildcat’s Crow Child, the magnificent young Native American girl in the dining room, and Robert Freeman’s
She echoed “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share these pieces with Sierra Leoneans as I did with the Basotho people and glad to have these beautiful works in this, the home of the American people, yet again throughout my tenure as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone.”