Cookie’s Mermaids - Episode 8
Hey there, merfolk! Your host Mami Melusine, or as you may know me, Dr. Jalondra A. Davis, is back with a fascinating episode. This time, we're swimming through the vibrant currents of the African diaspora and diving deep into the world of black mermaids with renowned artist Torreah "Cookie" Washington.
Washington takes us on a journey through her mission to counteract oppressive narratives, celebrating the divine origins of black women through the figure of the mermaid. We explore the undercurrents of her upcoming exhibit "Celebrating Black Mermaids from Africa to America," which is set to open on the same day as the release of The Little Mermaid (2023). Her exhibit aims to provide an alternative to patriarchal storylines, emphasizing the power and worth of black womanhood.
Join us as we navigate the currents of Washington's personal and creative journey. We'll touch on the transformative power of ritual bathing, the importance of swimming, and the need to tell the rich stories of African American women beyond the narratives of slavery. So, immerse yourself in this inspiring exploration of art, heritage, and the mystical allure of mermaids.
Podcast References:
Guest: Torreah "Cookie" Washington
Announcing the opening of CELEBRATING BLACK MERMAIDS: FROM AFRICA TO AMERICA A Fine Craft Exhibition on view May 26th - July 9th, 2023 at City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park in Charleston, SC. The opening reception will be Saturday May 27th and many of the artists from around the country will be in attendance.
Celebrating Black Mermaids: from Africa to America will tell, in vibrant color and art often untold stories of resilience, courage and creativity of Black Water spirit worship and legends situating them within the framework of South Carolina, the nation and the larger African diaspora.
The City Gallery at Joe Riley Waterfront Park is less than a half mile from Gadsden’s Wharf, a major center of the Atlantic slave trade in Charleston, South Carolina.
Charleston is where nearly half of enslaved Africans brought to the North America mainland took their first steps or breathed their last breaths...
Black mermaids were said to have traveled with enslaved Africans from Yoruba, West Africa, to distant lands, comforting them in the holds of the slave ships that took them far away from their homeland in Africa, others claim Black mermaids did their best to wreck the slave ships, and some say that they returned the souls of those who passed in the water, returning them home.
Because of the rich oral traditions of these peoples, few if any of these stories were written down until they were recorded by collectors of folk tales toward the end of the 19th century. The fine artistry in Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America is griot in nature. Each piece is a storyteller, using color, texture, form and embellishment to express a narrative.”
We have scheduled several cultural events to interact with the public. From Gullah Storytelling to Coloring contests to having a live Black Mermaid on site as well as publishing a full color catalog, this exhibition is reaching the public in several ways.
Torreah "Cookie" Washington
Creator/Curator: Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America
Books Mentioned: A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories - Roland L. Freeman
Stella Maris - Cormac McCarthy
Opera: I am Omar (2022)
Cookie Washington has ten copies of Henry Drewal's Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and its Diaspora for sale for $150 each. This full-color volume of art and history of African water spirits usually retails for up to $2000. To obtain a copy, contact Cookie, cookiesews1960@gmail.com.
Dr. Jalondra A. Davis Mermaid Research: https://jalondradavis.com/#scholar
Virtual Assistance & Podcast Production: Hella High Magic Media
