About Lori B Crawford

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This body of work represents a synthesis of art appreciation, music appreciation and social exploration. An aesthetic approach to self-expression through a multitude of media was attempted. Paintings, photographs or digital portraits are but a few creative processes in which I become energized and pacified.  The artistry of late blues vocalists, Etta James soothes my soul and validates various emotions that I have experienced over the years, thus "Sugar on the Floor" evolved. Yet, my love of Christ and the duty to spread his gospel inspired “Salt of the Earth”.

            "The brown paper bag as a receptacle of artistic media makes up my signature collection of works. This utilitarian device has been refashioned as still life, support canvas, and dimensional figures." My work with paper bags began in graduate school and attempts to shed light on the absurdity of a decades old practice within the Black community that implemented the “Brown Paper Bag Test”.

            Finally, The Sista’s continues the exploration of how women are portrayed in the arts and in society; by observing early depictions of women and then reimagining them. The Sista Series is evolving, for now, these colorful, whimsical characters find themselves in semi-real environments while being hailed for the struggles and achievements that early pioneers paved the way for todays Sista’s.

Short Biography

 

Lori Crawford is a Professor of art at Delaware State University where she has been teaching computer graphics and art history for over 20 years. Ms. Crawford earned her Bachelor of Arts from Morehead State University in Eastern Kentucky, and the first African-American female student to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Computer Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia in 1996. Her socially conscious work manifests itself in several media such as, acrylic paint, collage, photography, electronic art and installations. Lori has had solo exhibitions in Syracuse, NY, Gettysburg, VA, Birmingham, AL, Washington, DC and several Delaware locations