'The Activist Collector' recounts the life and work of Lida Clanton Broner, a Black woman from Newark who traveled alone through South Africa in 1938, collecting art she would share on her return.
chronicles Broner’s remarkable life. Weekend All Things Considered host Tiffany Hanssen spoke with Clarke about Broner’s trip and the art she collected.
In many ways, she was a very ordinary woman. She lived in Newark, N.J., most of her life, where she raised her son, Leroy, and worked as a housekeeper and a hairstylist. But she was also a grassroots activist, and ended up on this remarkable journey to South Africa where she forged ties across the Atlantic with like-minded Africans dedicated to Black liberation.
She traveled by train, by car, by donkey and sometimes on foot. So the journey she made is remarkable on many levels. But most challenging to be a woman alone, a Black woman alone, traveling to South Africa was incredibly challenging in 1938. She had trouble getting a visa. Her visa was rejected initially.
She collected about 150 works of art. They’re rather humble objects: everyday examples of needlework given by women who were forming clubs in South Africa, beadwork from women living in more rural areas, wooden utensils and woven mats from school children. It was intended for public display. And when she returned to Newark in early 1939, she mobilized the collection and had a number of what I call activist exhibitions. Mostly these were exhibitions at places where Black people in the United States were limited, in terms of where they could display art. They were at YMCAs, public libraries, sometimes churches.
Speaking of the book, the title is “The Activist Collector.” We've talked about her activism. Is that really what motivated you to write about her?
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inside Newark East Side wrestling’s fight to be taken seriouslyThe Red Raiders are having the best two years in program history and people are taking notice
Read more »
WATCH LIVE: Activist Erin Brockovich attending town hall in East PalestineEnvironmental advocate Erin Brockovich will attend a town hall meeting in East Palestine, Ohio Friday evening to talk with residents about ongoing issues they're facing following the train derailment.
Read more »
Activist Erin Brockovich warns Ohio town of dangers after train crash“You want to be heard, but you’re going to be told it’s safe, you’re going to be told not to worry,” Brockovich said. “That’s just rubbish, because you’re going to wor…
Read more »
Activist, mother of Castro twins, applies for empty city council seatAn activist and former educator, who is also the mother of two of San Antonio’s best-known political figures, is among the District 7 residents who have applied to fill an empty seat on city council.
Read more »