James Baldwin has arrived one year early for his 100th birthday celebration. He appeared at Harlem’s Interchurch Center in the form of drawings, paintings, installations, film and poetry, courtesy of extraordinary Detroit artist Sabrina Nelson.
A creative and art-couture maven, Nelson’s fascination with Baldwin began in 2016, when she attended “A Language to Dwell In,” a James Baldwin conference in Paris, France. There, she accompanied great minds and poets Jessica care Moore, Melba Joyce Boyd, and Magdalena J. Zaborowska, and sat in on lectures and performances while creating live art at the conference. Not having recalled reading Baldwin in high school, she went on a mission to learn as much as she could throughout the conference, devouring the iconic writer’s speeches and books and embarking upon a year-long study that resulted in a total of 91 drawings. Nelson has since dedicated multiple sketchbooks to Baldwin images, ink renderings and musings, adding large-format paintings and mixed media pieces, as well as visual collaborations with poets and writers, to build the current exhibition, titled Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin.
“I drew my first image of Baldwin while scholar, Rich Blint, spoke and I felt Baldwin’s presence in that room physically and spiritually,” Nelson shared. “The drawings became a way to baptize myself in the essence of Baldwin, as his words and expressions connected deeply with how I felt the world was treating its dwellers who are Black and Brown.”
Solemnly she adds, “In 2023, the words still ring true.”
Through more than forty unique interpretations of James Baldwin, and eight installations, she communicates the multi-facets of the man — his intellect, his humanity, his joy, his inspiration, and representations of some of those whom he inspired.
Nelson has been a professional interdisciplinary artist for over 37 years, working in a range of media and styles — from painting, drawing and sculpture, to art installations, performances and collaborations. Nelson is also an educator, lecturer, and “artivist”— using her art as a medium for activism. For more than two decades, she has held professional appointments with the College for Creative Studies, College of Art & Design in Arts Administration and the Detroit Institute of Arts and served on behalf of a long list of cultural and educational institutions. She is a 2021-2022 Kresge Arts Fellow and continues to be righteously featured in the media — not only for her art but for her replete definition of grace, ingenuity and style.
Since 1960, The Interchurch Center has been a visible symbol of the oneness of many churches in Christ and reflective of the inspiring growth of ecumenism and inter-religious activity. It is currently home to 70 faith-based, humanitarian, and educational organizations and serves the arts through its Treasure Room Gallery and public display and communion spaces. How befitting a venue for the ultimate preacher and servant of love and truth that was and remains, James Baldwin.
Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin is on view through August 31, 2023 at The Interchurch Center, 61 Claremont Ave., New York, NY, 10115. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9-5 pm. An artist reception and talk was held on Baldwin’s 99th birthday, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, where Nelson shared the stage with special guests and friends, Sydney G. James and Lakela Brown. Co-curated with art activist and cultural strategist, Ashara Ekundayo, Frontline Prophet travels next to New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, and Oakland, California, before culminating in Detroit for Baldwin’s 100th.
