Sabrina Nelson’s art delves into the essence of survival, resilience, and legacy, particularly through the lens of Black womanhood. Her work traverses beyond the constraints of two-dimensional art, merging painting, sculpture, and installation into profound visual narratives. Each piece embodies the sacred weight of stories carried through generations, exploring themes of protection, mourning, and transformation. Nelson’s art is deeply influenced by Yoruba spirituality and African diasporic traditions, creating spaces for reflection, reverence, and healing.

In She Carries, the artist examines the balance of burden and strength that defines collective histories and personal identities. Her pieces reveal the invisible weight borne by women as caretakers, protectors, and cultural bearers, highlighting the sacrifices and traumas woven into the fabric of survival. Nelson’s work also celebrates the quiet power of resistance-the ways in which women transform pain into art, spirituality, and community action.

Drawing inspiration from both natural elements and cultural symbolism, Nelson employs rich textures and evocative forms that convey both fragility and power. Gold accents suggest divinity and resilience, while layered materials and gestural marks evoke the chaotic beauty of life’s complexities. The interplay between these elements invites viewers to consider how personal and communal memories are preserved, even in the face of erasure.

Ultimately, She Carries invites contemplation on the ways Black women hold space for joy, pain, and possibility within their bodies and their art. Nelson’s work is not only a reflection of her personal journey but also a testament to the enduring strength of those who carry the weight of history and transform it into something sacred and transcendent.

Opening reception February 13, 2025 5:30-7:30pm. All welcome. Registration requested but not required

Dates:

Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Saturday, May 24, 2025

Hours:

Wednesday - Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

Location:

Saginaw Art Museum

1126 North Michigan Avenue

Saginaw, Michigan 48602.

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