By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Gaye Reissland

When Gaye Reissland created art early in her career, she focused on achieving a beautiful aesthetic. Now, she strives for beauty imbued with a more meaningful message.

“I consider myself an art activist,” Gaye says. “Most of my artwork generally has something to do with social justice. Now that I’m a grandmother and on the other side of 50, I feel like I have an obligation to make a difference in the world.”

“Most of my artwork generally has something to do with social justice. Now that I’m a grandmother and on the other side of 50, I feel like I have an obligation to make a difference in the world.”

Before, Gaye says the people used to pass her work and make comments such as ‘Oh, that’s pretty.’ Now, she strives for art that makes the viewer pause and think, ‘Okay, this is beautiful. But, there’s also more to it.’

For the show in the The Gallery at the Gateway Film Center, Gaye chose a piece that she feels speaks to the essence of the Harlem Renaissance called “Wakanda Warrior Woman.” This Black Panther-inspired painting is also the perfect fit for a movie theatre setting.

“When I saw that movie, it really affected me in a positive way,” Gaye says. “At the movie premiere in Columbus, it reminded me of a time in the Harlem Renaissance where they highlighted black art and black writers. It was such a positive experience, and people were just bursting with pride. It reminded me of how they celebrated black art in the Harlem Renaissance.”

“It was such a positive experience, and people were just bursting with pride. It reminded me of how they celebrated black art in the Harlem Renaissance.”

Gaye’s painting features one of the Wakanda warriors. She was drawn to this subject because she says she often chooses to feature people who wouldn’t normally be featured.

“I feature women of color, generally. Or older people with wrinkles. I love wrinkles, not so much on myself, but in my artwork,” Gaye says. “Wrinkles are a road map that show the story of what people have been through.”

One look at “Wakanda Warrior Woman,” and it’s clear that Gaye’s work captures the strength of women of color. The piece is beautiful, yet strikingly fierce.

“I’m really excited that we’ve celebrated the Harlem Renaissance this year. It has given artists of color in the Columbus area opportunities and venues that we probably wouldn’t have access to otherwise,” Gaye says. “So It’s been a wonderful experience, and hopefully it’s just the beginning, not the end.”

Gaye’s Work

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Ludie Sénatus

The question ‘Who is Ludie Sénatus?’ has many potential answers.

I could tell you that she’s a Haitian-American artist; or that she was one of eight minority students at a small christian college in Kentucky; or even that she transferred schools, packed her life into two bins and moved to this city where she didn’t know a soul.

The best answer to that question, though, is a painting. Ludie’s piece, “Self Portrait,” sheds light on the fundamental nature of Ludie as a being.

“Self Portrait” by Ludie Sénatus

“One day, I woke up in the middle of the night,” Ludie says. “For the next two days I didn’t sleep. I just worked on my self portrait. It’s a very transcendental piece for me. I was going through a lot, and I’d always ask myself, ‘What is my purpose? What am I as a being?’”

“For the next two days I didn’t sleep. I just worked on my self portrait. It’s a very transcendental piece for me. I was going through a lot, and I’d always ask myself, ‘What is my purpose? What am I as a being?’”

“Self Portrait” is the result of that self-reflective meditation. This piece also launched Ludie in the stylistic direction for which she’s now known.

“The one lash is a theme throughout all of my work, but ‘Self Portrait’ was the first time I did that,” Ludie says. “It’s about closing your eyes to the distractions of life and getting to know your true and authentic self outside of your social status, outside of your race, outside of your sex, outside of your group of friends. Who are you as an individual being?”

Ludie’s “Self Portrait” is on display at The Gallery at the Gateway Film Center through February, along with two of her other pieces: “Passion” and “Allure.” She chose these works for this particular show because she says that authenticity and self expression are integral to the Harlem Renaissance movement we’re celebrating today.

“The Harlem Renaissance from 100 years ago is the same movement we’re creating now. It’s about bringing our art and who we are to the forefront and hoping that everyone else appreciates what it is that we bring to the table,” Ludie says. “I believe that that’s what my art depicts. It’s about being authentic, not being afraid to be yourself and encouraging others to do the same.”

“I believe that that’s what my art depicts. It’s about being authentic, not being afraid to be yourself and encouraging others to do the same.”

Ludie’s Work