Stephen Towns’ series “An Offering” has recently been added to the permanent collection of The National Museum of African American History & Culture!
The series pays homage to West African people that were subjugated to the horrors of the Middle Passage. These are mixed media works that consist of painted and quilted panels. Towns uses recurring symbols and motifs to reemphasize their humanity and simultaneously questions how it is possible that others are and were unable to see it. Candles are depicted at the bottom of each quilt serving as a gestural offering to thank their ancestors and give solace. Towns continues to provide space to honor and revere those who came before through his work.
