ARTIST STATEMENT

 

SANTANA SANKOFA opens the window of their Soul; releasing the damp air of darkness and letting the Light in to shine on their rousing Spirit. The window is the mouth. The screen has some tears and holes in it, as evidenced by the gaps in their teeth. The wind simultaneously pulls and pushes the air, in and out. In comes Love, Creativity, Faith, Redemption, and Community. Out goes Re-Memory, Acceptance, Meditation, Healing, and Activation for the Revolution.

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The work itself lives on the spectrum where Lullabies, Prayers, Whispers, and Wails also reside. The work serves as a reminder that, "I am Enuf." That, "I've had Enuf." The work is Mourning and Celebration. Both of these are ways to Praise. The work is a practice of remembering not only the past, but the future too. A practice of summoning all the elements of nature and all the emotions of Life. 

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Santana makes Gumbo and gets to be the Crab. 

Makes Arroz con Gandules and gets to be the Grain. 

Makes Cookies and gets to be the Chocolate. 

Makes Salsa and gets to be the Hot Peppers.

Makes Tea and gets to be the Herbal Remedy. 

Makes Babies and gets to be the First Breath. 

Ashe. Amen. And So It Is...

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