The artwork is a commissioned piece which uses bark cloth, seashells, found objects, woven fabrics and acryllic paint to create a deeply textured and dramatic work of art. Barker came to th U.S. for two months specifically to work on the project with Yusuf Ssali. Bark cloth is a traditional Ugandan material which is made from the bark of the Mutuba tree. It has been used for religious ceremonies for over 500 years.

CHRISTIAN DIEGO IS STUDENT OF THE MONTH AT NAMUNGOONA CHILDREN'S ART CENTER--- Christian, 13, is a refugee from Democratic Republic of the Congo. He attends Namungoona Orthodox Primary School. He started coming to Children’s Art Center in 2017 and attends nearly every day. He is a talented painter and is now learning to make sculpture using wire armatures and papier mache.

Writing in the NY Times, Chika Okeke-Agulu emphasized the dilemma of African art, which is being more appreciated and valued than ever, bringing record prices, at the same time it is becoming ever less available to the peoples of the continent. The need for national and regional museums to bring home-grown art to the public from whom it sprang is a key requirement for recycling Africa's creative talents into new generations.

(Thanks to JGC for calling this to our attention via Facebook.)