November 26, 2016
The Ford Foundation is an organization that challenges inequality worldwide. Furthermore, through grants and programs they work to eliminate prejudices against women, economical rules, and inaccessibility. Their grants provide support for ethnic and racial justice, free expression and creativity, youth development and more.
Recently, they came to us with a framing project of historical pictures and artifacts from the Civil Rights Movement. Some of these included original prints from the Black Star Agency. The Black Star Agency is a photography agency that captured many historical moments of the Civil Rights Movement. They photographed iconic Civil Rights Leaders including Julian Bond, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Stokeley Carmichael. Some Black Star photos that we framed included Martin Luther King Jr. accepting his Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King being arrested in Montgomery, Alabama and shots of Medgar Evers' funeral. Some additional artifacts include waiting room signs from the apartheid era and photos of the March on Washington. Additionally political comics and drawings were also included.
As far as feminism and equality goes, there were some monumental artifacts included in this framing project. Notably, Margaret Sanger and Angela Davis had posters and pieces supporting their respective movements. Margaret Sanger's founding of the modern day Planned Parenthood and historic push for accessible birth control cemented her as an important part of feminist history. The Ford Foundation has an original print promoting the right of women to control their bodies. Angela Davis has a "Freedom for Angela Davis" poster included as well. Davis was a prominent figure in the late '60s and '70s for her outspoken political views. Additionally she was known for her push to advance the fair treatment of people regardless of class or race.
A few photos of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
Marlene Dumas is a South African artist who has made history. To date, Marlene Dumas' art brings the highest price of any living female artist in history. Dumas' portrait of Alan Turing, an important WWII code breaker, is included. He was a crucial part of the code breaking team that intercepted Nazi messages. The interception of these messages were pivotal in ending the war early and saving lives. Turing was also a brilliant computer scientist and is considered the founder of modern computer science and artificial intelligence. Marlene Dumas painted him and many other historical figures including Naomi Campbell, Osama Bin Laden and James Baldwin.
Marlene Dumas's portrait of Alan Turing.
We floated the photographs in blackhardwood frames using Japanese paper and wheat paste. The glazing choice was Conservation Clear Acrylic. Overall, the Ford Foundation stands for and fights for the human rights of people all over the world, regardless of their background. More info can be found about their grant programs and work on their website.
Bernadette holds finished custom framed photographs of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
