The Toledo Museum of Art is extending its popular “Aminah Robinson: Voices That Taught Me How to Sing” exhibition through April 10 in Gallery 4 at the Glass Pavilion.

The free exhibition, originally scheduled to close in late February, showcases The Ragmud Collection by noted African American artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson.

The exhibition is among several activities planned at the museum to focus attention on the cultural contributions of African Americans in celebration of Black History Month.

In her sculptural work, Robinson combines traditional art materials with found and everyday objects to create unique two- and three-dimensional works of art.

Densely packed with imagery and materials, her work is a blend of folk art, quilting and high art. The Ragmud Collection includes a set of books that contain sculptural pieces, drawings, poems, stories, books-within-books, extended pullouts and cases.

Robinson incorporates storytelling of some kind, whether it references the historical past, her family history or her explorations of her ancestry, in all of her work.

Memories of growing up in the Columbus neighborhood of Poindexter Village and her experiences traveling through the African Diaspora are recurring themes. Several works specifically explore her close relationships with family.

“The Museum staff  hopes that, especially during Black History Month, Toledoans of all backgrounds will come and take part in the exhibition-related Community Voices Project,” said spokesperson Teri Sharp, Public Relations Manager. “A multitude of found objects – buttons, ribbons, bits of fabric and other items – have been placed on a table in Gallery 4 where visitors, inspired by Robinson’s books, can express themselves by creating pages that will become part of a book of Toledo memories. Some of the pages created by visitors so far are posted on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32968453@N05/).

Made possible through the generosity of TMA members, the exhibition is supported in part by Libbey, Inc. and the sustainable grant program of the Ohio Arts Council.

“Aminah Robinson: Voices That Taught Me How to Sing,” has been extended through April 10 in Gallery 4 at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion. (© Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson)

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