Exhibit Opening: Adama Delphine Fawundu, Ancestral Whispers
Welcome Prospect Park Alliance’s first ever ReImagine Lefferts Artist in Residence, Adama Delphine Fawundu, at the official launch of her installation Ancestral Whispers at Lefferts Historic House on view until December 1, 2024. Fawundu has created a new site-specific work that is informed by the research Prospect Park Alliance has conducted into the lives of Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family. To date, the Alliance has identified 25 people enslaved by the Lefferts family at the house between its construction in 1783 and the abolition of slavery in New York in 1827. Fawundu has created 25 fabric banners that will transform the house’s Flatbush Avenue facade, inspired by and honoring the heroism of the 25 Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family at the house.
The opening event will start with a spiritually rich sonic offering, featuring Fawundu accompanied by her son and musician Che Buford, whose work explores the creation of new narratives while engaging with memory and place. Proposing that memory also resides in the wind, the performance extends an invitation to collectively witness anew, imagine, and feel through some of the Indigenous and African ancestral stories that have added to the greatness of Brooklyn. Fawundu’s 2020 piece, In the Face of History Freedom Cape, which was filmed in part in Prospect Park and Lefferts Historic House, and a selection of prints will also be on display inside the house. Fawundu will conduct gallery talks of her works on display, explain her creative process and share details about some of the concepts and imagery in her art. Following an inside look at Fawundu’s artistic process, DJ Spinna will be performing as part of this opening celebration.
Plus, attendees can enjoy an Adinkra symbol printing craft table and Oware (Mancala in Arabic) game table. Adinkra symbols are an ancient West African writing system rich with philosophical meaning and Oware is the oldest game in the world. Africans enslaved in New York brought Adinkra and Oware with them.
This event is free and open to the public. Eventbrite RSVP is encouraged:
