Free At Last

from " American Negro Songs " by J. W. Work



Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last
Free at last, free at last
I thank God I'm free at last

Way down yonder in the graveyard walk
I thank God I'm free at last
Me and my Jesus going to meet and talk
I thank God I'm free at last

On my knees when the light pass'd by
I thank God I'm free at last
Tho't my soul would rise and fly
I thank God I'm free at last

Some of these mornings, bright and fair
I thank God I'm free at last
Goin' meet King Jesus in the air
I thank God I'm free at last

The meaning of Negro Spirituals

Slaves led very difficult lives. They were forbidden many things, but they were allowed to go to church and play music. Combining African rhythms and harmonies with messages of hope from the bible, they created what were called, Negro Spirituals. The Negro Spirituals not only gave hope during a time of hardship, but has influenced American History of music, poetry, pivotal movements and even the ARTS like the Civil Rights Movement. A series of Negro Spirituals became freedom songs during the Civil Rights Movement. As a reminder of what they were fighting for, the freedom songs provided inspiration and hope. They motivated and supported ordinary people, which united and transformed the Civil Rights Movement. Negro Spirituals changed the character of American Society and may be equaled in importance.

Virtual View of "Interlude"

"Interlude"

ARTIST: Charlotte Riley-Webb
MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas
DIMENSIONS: 48"x72"
PRICE: $9800

For inquiries or payment options, contact us by phone at 404.964.4891 or email us at sales@premierart.net.

Charlotte Riley-Webb is an extremely talented abstract and figurative artist whose most recent work on the children's book "Our Children Can Soar" garnered her an NAACP Image Award. To find out more about Charlotte and view more of her work, click here.

Fighting Dragons Who Think Themselves Grand

ARTIST: Aaron F. Henderson
MEDIUM: Gouache on Cotton Rag Paper
DIMENSIONS: 40"x60" (Unframed)
PRICE: $7500

For inquiries or payment options, contact us by phone at 404.964.4891 or email us at sales@premierart.net.

NARRATIVE

I, like many, have fought dragons and will continue to fight them. Looking back I have had more wins than losses. But they still keep coming and if you are not careful they will work on you and convince you that they are not only evil but have a grand scheme to control your life. You know those dragons that attack your faith, your self-esteem and the ones whose main weapon is doubt. I am also speaking to all those other Grand Dragons of society that attack ones personhood. This work illustrates that ever going battle. We all are going to have dragons but let us not allow them to think themselves grand. - Aaron F. Henderson

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Abstract: 13 (44%)

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*Illustrated to show personal preferences of art collectors and others interested in artwork.

2 Inspirational Slave Songs:

"I’VE BEEN ‘BUKED AND I’VE BEEN SCORNED"

I’ve been ‘buked an’ I’ve been scorned, children
I’ve been ‘buked an’ I’ve been scorned
I’ve been talked about, sho’s you’re born

Dere is trouble all over dis world
Children, dere is trouble all over dis world

Ain’t gwine to lay my ‘ligion down

Children, ain’t gwine to lay my ‘ligion down

"NO MORE AUCTION BLOCK FOR ME"

No more auction block for me
No more, no more
No more auction block for me
Many thousand gone

No more peck of corn for me…

No more driver’s lash for me…

No more pint of salt for me…

No more hundred lash for me…

No more mistress' call for me...

*Both songs came from the cite below:
http://www.negrospirituals/song.htm

SON OF FREEDOM!

ARTIST: Aaron F. Henderson
MEDIUM: Gouache on Paper
DIMENSIONS: 22"x30"
PRICE: $2000

For inquiries or payment options, contact us by phone at 404.964.4891 or email us at sales@premierart.net.


Aaron is a narrative artist whose works are often inspired by historical accounts or original stories.

NARRATIVE


This series is based on the legend of Ganga Zumbi, which occurred during the Transatlantic slave trade. Ganga Zumbi was the general of Queen Nzinga's army in Angola. Queen Nzinga fought for many years to prevent the Portuguese from overtaking her nation. As the Portuguese fought they began to make headway and started capturing some of the Angolan people. Legend states that the Queen told Ganga Zumbi to allow himself to be captured and enslaved, so that he could free his fellow country men. He followed orders and began to free the captured. They slowly built their own army in the jungles of Brazil. They built communities in the rain forest and the warriors painted their faces to ward off their enemies. The faces in this series are tribute to Ganga Zumbi and his army. It is said that Ganga Zumbi was never captured and to this day is freeing oppressed people around the world.

--Aaron F. Henderson

My Mind Stayed On Freedom

The extensive use of spirituals in the struggle for freedom during slavery left a deep imprint in the cultural memory of African Americans and their allies. It is therefore not surprising that during the 1960s and 70s, many of the freedom songs sung by the multi-racial cadre of Civil Rights workers were essentially new versions of old slave spirituals with updated lyrics that expressed the specific needs of the Civil Rights Movement.

The historian/activist/singer Bernice Johnson Reagon recalls the way in which singing evolved as an important tool during the Civil Rights Movement:

"Most of the singing of the civil rights movement was congregational; it was sung unrehearsed in the tradition of the Afro-American folk church . . . The core song repertoire was formed from the reservoir of Afro-American traditional song performed in the older style of singing. This music base was expanded to include most of the popular Afro-American music forms and singing techniques of the period. From this reservoir, activist song leaders made a new music for a changed time. Lyrics were transformed, traditional melodies were adapted and procedures associated with old forms were blended with new forms to create freedom songs capable of expressing the force and intent of the movement"

With this kind of inspiration, Aaron F. Henderson and other artists began creating artwork pieces that express this past time and their culture.

Provided is a link with a sample slave song.

http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/Freedom/civil.cfm

Corporate Sponsorship!

Currently, Premier Art LLC. is looking out to local Atlanta businesses for Sponsorship!

This financial aid goes toward helping the company in means of framing the artists pieces, paying for exhibits and appearances, as well as materials including brushes and paint.

These things surely do not come by as inexpensive and the offering would mean a great deal to Premier Art LLC. If you are interested or know someone that is interested, please do not hesitate to contact Onaje Henderson at onajehenderson@gmail.com. Also, in the subject box please put "Corporate Sponsorship".

Thank You!

Come out to Georgia State to view art with Premier Art!

Featured Premier Art Artist- Reginald Laurent!

For years, self-taught artist Reginald Laurent avoided developing a signature style out of concern that doing so would hamper continued exploration of his abilities. However, when one of his paintings won third-place in a juried exhibition, Laurent realized that a signature style – abstract art – had asserted itself.

Drawing on his knowledge of fine and modern art, Laurent creates large, colorful, and detailed works that he describes as “visual smorgasbords,” ranging from “feasts of color and movement” to “simplistic images that convey a universal vibe.”

A Chicago native now living in Atlanta, Laurent especially likes creating abstract art because the genre allows him to reveal a side of himself that, “is not gauged by my race,” adding that, “If viewers like the art, then what difference does my color make?” Laurent acknowledges his artistic ability as God-given, saying that, “At times, I merely hold the brush.”.


Collectors of Laurent’s work include Ambassador Andrew Young; Bishop Eddie L. Long, Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church; and Mike Glenn, Commissioner, World Basketball Association.

Check out Reginald's work at- http://shoppremierart.com/reginald-laurent?p=2

The Art of Wine and Dine AT STRAITS RESTAURANT, Atlanta, GA

ART AT STRAITS RESTAURANT

Every Wednesday at 5:00p

at Atlanta Straits Restaurant, Atlanta, GA

Premier Art LLC brings you The Art of Wine and Dine every Wednesday night. This weekly event will feature fine art by Premier Art artist, live music, and fine dining at Chris "Ludacris" Bridges new restaurant, STRAITS! Please come out and join us!