CULTURE FULL CIRCLE

MUSICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE PAINTINGS

Art inspired by music that tells the history of African people globally.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a musician- I wanted to explore the complexity of Bach's Sarabandes.

My research for historical elements in African history led me to Johann Sebastian Bach's Six Suites for the Unaccompanied Violoncello (Cello). The Sarabande is a movement in each of the six suites. Its historical foundation is in Spain. When the enslaved Africans arrived, the celebratory moment was halted because of how the enslaved Africans gyrated and responded to the music. It got the attention of the King and religious leaders and was immediately banned. With the influence of the French, it was repurposed and became popular all over Europe- so much that famous composers like Handel and Bach composed music relating to the popular dance. It was the inspiration for the paintings on this page. The string instruments are later iterations African instruments made from gourds, animal hide, tree branches and dried and twined animal skin and intestines (gut string).