A few months ago, I was helping a friend with some research on examples of African influences within European art. One example we looked at was the "Black Madonna" of Czestachova, in Poland. While this piece is surrounded by legend, and the facts about it are greatly contested, it is a Byzantine piece that came to central europe, was considered a treasure, and has influenced a great number of local artists for centuries. Byzantine art does have African influences.

In the course of the research, we contacted the editor of a large and widely respected catholic newpaper, asking if they had a photo of the piece in their library. In response, we were told "The Virgin Mary was not black, and did not come from Africa."

With this painting, I want to communicate several messages:

1. Human life almost certainly originated in Africa, so that's where you come from, too.
2. Africa is a huge and varied continent - there are people of every color in Africa.
3. Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth are all less than 100 miles from Africa.
4. Separatism and alienation are not acceptable behaviors – particulary from people in a position to teach others, and I won't allow it.

My "Black Madonna" is not any race- it does not matter what color she was. Culturally and aesthetically, she was heavily influenced by people from Africa.