Barna Black
The "Barna Black" series is a collection of visual art pieces created by artist D. Lammie-Hanson, a Chicago-based artist who was born in Harlem. These pieces use silverpoint on a black background surface to highlight the inner beauty of the subjects, particularly those who have experienced marginalization due to their skin color. Lammie-Hanson combines traditional silverpoint techniques with her own unique application methods in order to convey a deep emotional connection with each subject and create a sense of radiance through the reflection and refraction of light off of the silver. The series takes its name from the artist's time spent in Barcelona, where Lammie-Hanson first began working with silverpoint, and the use of black as the dominant color in the majority of her silverpoint pieces.
Strength With Grace
Silverpoint, Acrylic on Rag Paper
"Strength with Grace - A Male Dancer's Legs" is a silverpoint artwork by contemporary metalpoint artist D. Lammie-Hanson that showcases the strength and grace of a male dancer's legs. The piece is created on black colored rag paper and measures 18 inches by 24 inches, making it a small but powerful work of art.
The artist has a strong connection to dancing, having been a dancer herself from the age of 3 1/2 years to 16 years old. She was particularly impressed by the muscle tone and gracefulness of the male dancers she saw at the Dance Theater of Harlem, located in her birth neighborhood, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in NYC. This personal connection to the world of dance is evident in the skill and sensitivity with which the artist has rendered the male dancer's legs in silverpoint.
"Strength with Grace - A Male Dancer's Legs" is a beautifully crafted and evocative artwork that conveys the strength and beauty of the human body. It demonstrates the artist's skill and ability to capture the essence of their subject matter in a single image.
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Dared To Be Pioneer, Portrait of Alvin (Alvin Ailey)
"Dared to be a Pioneer, Portrait of Alvin" is a silverpoint drawing by contemporary artist D. Lammie-Hanson that pays tribute to the great Alvin Ailey. Created in Barcelona, Spain during the artist's attendance at an artist residency program, the piece is created on black paper that has been rubbed with homemade wine vine charcoal sticks made by the artist.
The silverpoint drawing is done in the artist's signature One Eyed Tulips style and captures the likeness of Alvin Ailey with striking detail and accuracy. The use of silverpoint, a traditional drawing medium in which a thin silver wire is used to create delicate lines and shading, adds depth and texture to the piece.
This powerful artwork celebrates the legacy of Alvin Ailey and the pioneering spirit of the artist. It demonstrates the artist's skill and ability to create truly memorable and meaningful art that elicits a strong emotional response from the viewer.
Storied Eyes, 2017
"Storied Eyes" is a portrait of James Baldwin's eyes created by contemporary silverpoint artist D. Lammie-Hanson in 2017 during an artist residency in Barcelona, Spain. The emotionally charged piece, which was one of Lammie-Hanson's first silverpoints on black paper, captures Baldwin's expressive and soulful gaze. The work showcases Lammie-Hanson's skill in using silverpoint to create emotionally impactful portraits and her talent as a contemporary silverpoint artist. "Storied Eyes" is a powerful example of Lammie-Hanson's ability to create meaningful works of art using this traditional medium.
A Portrait of His Beautiful Blackness, 2017
"Portrait of His Beautiful Blackness" is a moving and powerful piece of art created by contemporary silverpoint artist D. Lammie-Hanson in 2017 during an artist residency in Barcelona, Spain. The piece, which is part of the Barna Black series, measures 19.5 inches by 27 inches and is made using silverpoint, plaster, charcoal, and acrylic coated rag paper.
One of the most striking aspects of the piece is the texture of the plaster, which gives the illusion of scarred skin on the subject, a young Black man. The artist has used this effect to bring to light the physical abuse the subject has suffered from both inside and outside his cultural environment. Through the use of the delicate and detailed silverpoint process, Lammie-Hanson has managed to capture the subject's inner beauty and delicate soul, celebrating his beautiful existence and expressing a hope that he will heal and grow.
This piece is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Black community and serves as a reminder of the importance of celebrating and uplifting Black voices and experiences. It is a powerful and moving work of art that is sure to inspire and resonate with viewers of all backgrounds.