I AM MY WHITE ANCESTORS

“This exhibit operates on a lot of different levels. You've got the very large portrait pieces as visual art and the storytelling, which goes down in great detail to the granular level. It's historical, yet contemporary in its approach. It examines issues of race, cultural sensitivities and our backgrounds in ways that are social and also personal to Anne. It really is her voice as an artist being spoken through all of these different characters that are part of her life over hundreds and thousands of years. It's super exciting to have you here. When Anne submitted her proposal last fall we thought about it for quite awhile. It's obviously dealing with sensitive issues of identity and race. In thinking about challenging issues, which artists do, I wanted to make sure we weren't just pushing buttons, if you will. But getting to know the depth of this exhibit and the depth of the artmaking, made it clear to me that we weren't doing that. This is a very serious approach to what can be a sensitive issue for people of all colors. I want to encourage people to get into the details of the exhibit. You will learn so much.”

-Tom Webb, gallery director at Newport Visual Art Center, Remarks from opening reception February 1, 2019

“Since I’m African-American I have history on both sides, on the side of the oppressed and oppressors. For people of color it’s important they know there are white people willing to look a their pasts. And for white people it’s important to see you can do this and still come out whole.  White people say, ‘I’m not responsible.’  I answer, I am not responsible for my people who were enslaved but I am still suffering the consequences. So why do I have to bite the bullet and you don’t? It’s a place to start the conversation. Anne had the guts to do it.”

-Donna Maxey, founder and director of Race Talks, Portland, Oregon