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Threads of a Story: History Inspiring Art | Freedom Riders by Charlotta Janssen

Presented by Nashville Public Library at Nashville Public Library - Main Library

June 18-October 9, 2011

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History can be an artist’s muse. The artist’s largest series to date, Charlotta Janssen’s portraits of 1956 Bus Boycotters and 1961 Freedom Riders are based on mug shots of these jailed heroes and other historic photos of the period.

Charlotta Janssen studied painting at the University of the Arts in Berlin. Her work has been exhibited in Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, Miami, Telluride, and New York. 

Standing up against the injustice of segregation and institutionalized racism, that moment in 1961 there was no way of knowing what prison in Mississippi had in store, so these portraits are about facing an oppressive system with non violence and a deep mix of emotions, each in their own way: fear, joy, anger and innocence.

Critical details such as disheveled collars, skinny ties, bows on ruffled collars still suggestive of the fifties and loud patterns that were announcing a more modern time are crucial parts too. Carefully recorded by a sovereignty commission their purpose was to ostracise those who stood up to segregation, certainly not intended for art.

Meeting many of these Freedom Riders ( the first being Charles Jones in 2009 of Charlotte NC with whom I had a good cry in) and activists who planned this out and hearing details of their stories and the dangers they faced moved me to retell them through oil, acrylic, rust and collage, to take the observer back into that moment. These are extraordinary humans who didn't stand by idle. Freedom Rides are a miracle to me that we all need to know about and build on what they started: the beloved community.

The work will be on display at the downtown public library through October 6 2011.

Location: Special Collections Center and Courtyard Gallery

Image by Charlotta Janssen