The Crowns: Royalty and Resilience series explores the strength and she-stories of generations of African-American women who have birthed, bloomed, and thrived despite the multiple oppressions of racism, sexism, and classism. The series began with work created during The Art of Goodwill Artist Residency.
The Summit (2018)
Mixed-media textile
26.5” x 26.5” x 5”
Ramona asked her teenage photojournalist daughter, Faith Lindsey to capture the images of eight African-American women from multiple generations who have impacted her view of womanhood. Ramona used her photographs to re-imagine these women as the cultivators of Faith’s future. The Summit portrays these women in a lush garden strategizing together guided by the knowledge of their experiences and empowered by feminine memory. The Royalty(left to right): Elmer Lucille Allen, Lauryn Johnson, Marita Willis, Kendal Rayborn, Minda Reeves, Ramona Lindsey, Angelique Johnson, Harriet Dallum, Ra’Tonya Willis-Friedman (in memoriam)
Mixed-media textile
26.5” x 26.5” x 5”
Ramona asked her teenage photojournalist daughter, Faith Lindsey to capture the images of eight African-American women from multiple generations who have impacted her view of womanhood. Ramona used her photographs to re-imagine these women as the cultivators of Faith’s future. The Summit portrays these women in a lush garden strategizing together guided by the knowledge of their experiences and empowered by feminine memory. The Royalty(left to right): Elmer Lucille Allen, Lauryn Johnson, Marita Willis, Kendal Rayborn, Minda Reeves, Ramona Lindsey, Angelique Johnson, Harriet Dallum, Ra’Tonya Willis-Friedman (in memoriam)
Conqueror (2018)
Mixed-media textile
18” x 24” x 9”
Ramona asked her teenage photojournalist daughter, Faith Lindsey to capture the images of eight African-American women from multiple generations who have impacted her view of womanhood. Ramona used her photographs to re-imagine these women as the cultivators of Faith’s future. Conqueror combines the memories and symbols of each of these women into a single representation of feminine power royally embracing her significance while remembering the cultural heritage that sustains her strength to thrive in an oppressive world. The Royalty(African-American women): Elmer Lucille Allen, Lauren Johnson, Marita Willis, Kendall Rayborn, Minda Reeves, Ramona Lindsey, Angelique Johnson, Harriet Dallum, Ra’Tonya Willis-Friedman (in memoriam)
Mixed-media textile
18” x 24” x 9”
Ramona asked her teenage photojournalist daughter, Faith Lindsey to capture the images of eight African-American women from multiple generations who have impacted her view of womanhood. Ramona used her photographs to re-imagine these women as the cultivators of Faith’s future. Conqueror combines the memories and symbols of each of these women into a single representation of feminine power royally embracing her significance while remembering the cultural heritage that sustains her strength to thrive in an oppressive world. The Royalty(African-American women): Elmer Lucille Allen, Lauren Johnson, Marita Willis, Kendall Rayborn, Minda Reeves, Ramona Lindsey, Angelique Johnson, Harriet Dallum, Ra’Tonya Willis-Friedman (in memoriam)