“SCULPTURES IN THE FORM OF NECKLACES: IN CONVERSATION WITH  CHERYL R. RILEY”

Written By Sebastian Grant, Metalsmith, Vol 44, No. 1, 2024

I've had the immense honor of being featured in the latest issue of Metalsmith Magazine, Vol. 44 No. 1, in an interview article that takes you on a journey through my artistic world. The piece, titled "SCULPTURES IN THE FORM OF NECKLACES: in Conversation with Cheryl R. Riley," is a deep dive into the essence of my sculptural jewelry pieces, crafted with insight and finesse by Sebastian Grant.

Sebastian, a renowned Art Historian, Curator, and educator at PARSONS, New York, brings to light the intricate details of my creative process, inspirations, and the story behind each sculptural piece. Working with someone of Sebastian's caliber, whose passion and understanding of art shine brightly, was an experience that brought out the best in my work, offering readers a profound look into my artistic journey.

ORACLE DECKs

The Oracle Deck features images of my “Glyphs on Pages of 1957 Encyclopedia” series based on a mythological matriarchal society’s life-affirming ethos superimposed on an outdated male narrative. In this deck “Death” cards more often refer to the end, for instance a way of being, a task, a relationship, etc.—seldom the actual act of dying. Read more on the info cards included in the deck. It is a great gift for yourself and others.

Click Here to navigate to Shopify to purchase an Oracle Decks and other artworks.

ART-INSPIHERD MAGAZINE

The Spring Issue

Let's dive in together and continue to inspire and be inspired! My journey was featured in the spring '24 issue of Art-InpiHerd, a new digital magazine published by The Design Database, a women-owned, leading community for female and non-binary Creatives. This magazine is part of the "Fearless Narratives" showcase, which is a huge nod to The Design Database community's incredible vibe and creativity. This edition is a vibrant celebration of creativity, inspiration, and the profound impact of artistic expression.

It’s exciting to see the pairing of two related works of art that feature vitrines and Zulu Spoon legs in the form of the female. The new WORLD HISTORY I (Drum), 2023, in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum, showcasing imports to the world from the continent of Africa and the ZULU RENAISSANCE WRITING TABLE FOR A LADY, 1993 in SFMoMA permanent collection whose vitrine is autobiographical. Both are supported by Zulu spoons as legs, symbolizing the power of the female.

For those interested in getting their hands on a copy of Art-InspiHerd magazine, you can visit their website for more details on how to purchase or subscribe. Additionally, you can click here to access the online version.

Malene Barnett’s Brooklyn Townhouse Is a Living Embodiment of Black Love

Another gift from BADG (Black Artists and Designers Guild) is a placement of another Kaleidoscope, BEGIN I, in Architectural Digest along with other members. This is an astoundingly talented group of Creatives and I feel so lucky to know them and be a part of the changes we are creating by our representation and recognition is mass media.

You can read more and view here.

Black film festival award donated to permanent collection at nmaahc

A sculpture that I designed has joined the permanent collection of a Smithsonian Museum: the National Museum of African American History & Culture. This award, commissioned by Byron Lewis for the BLACK FILM FESTIVAL held that first year, 1997, in Acapulco, will join my two Tudor Tables that were commissioned in 1992 by Chief Curator, David Revere McFadden for the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum in New York City.