André Henderson’s Series ‘The Journey’ Showcases The Brutal Voyage Of Enslaved Africans Who Lost Their Lives At Sea

An impassioned artist can bring light and grace even to the most haunted places, as André Henderson proves in his brutal, yet captivating series of paintings, “The Journey“. The works, a collaboration with wood sculptor Doug Pisik, tell the story of the unthinkable multitudes of enslaved Africans who lost their lives in the various crossings of slave ships, over hundreds of years and thousands of miles at sea. A project ten years in the works, Henderson came to the concept after a period of creative blockage, when he felt a sudden calling to honor African ancestors through artwork. The works will be on view at P2 Gallery in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood of Atlanta from late July through August. Henderson and Pisik joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to talk about “The Journey” and the horrific history that made this creative act of healing and remembrance a necessity.

The sense of calling that sparked “The Journey” came to Henderson while working at Serenbe, a community where many artists find creative residencies, south of Atlanta. “I was painting and painting, and I felt like I was… really just literally pushing paint around the canvas, and it was really frustrating,” Henderson recalled. “And I heard a voice say, ‘Paint something for us… We’re the ones who’ve come before you, and we’re the reason why you’re here.’ And from that moment on, I thought, ‘Those are my ancestors.’ And for the past ten years, I’ve been painting with their guidance and inspiration.”

In the paintings that resulted, semi-translucent figures often float in a blue expanse. The artist described how he felt he was “painting the spirit,” rather than the individual, representing the bodies of the enslaved that fell off ships to their demise. “There’s been no record of how many, or who they were — men, women and children,” Henderson said. “It was just honoring all of them.”

When Henderson decided to bring in the talents of wood sculptor Doug Pisik, the result was a balancing effect — with Pisik’s rough-edged and confrontational compositions of wood, rope and metal forming the frames for Henderson’s visually serene canvases. Pisik talked about recognizing the importance of the project, citing his own heritage.

“The reason I bring up that I’m Jewish is because that played a very important part for why I wanted to work with André as well,” Pisik said. “Just about everybody, if not everybody, is aware of the Holocaust and the six million Jews lost… When André came to me about this project and said it was about the millions and millions of humans that lost their lives in transport, I didn’t know about the numbers.” He continued, “I felt ignorant and upset that I didn’t know the story. And I thought, why does everyone know one story, but they don’t know about this other one that took place over hundreds, hundreds of years? …This story has to be told.”

One component of “The Journey” is an American flag, once gifted to Henderson after belonging to his cousin’s widow. Henderson transformed the object, painting it white and allowing for natural degradations and impressions to be left in its original design, naming the result “Fourth of July”. The name honors Frederick Douglass’ words spoken in denunciation of white-washed American independence stories — stories that delayed even Henderson’s own reckoning with the true brutality of America’s founding, which relied on stolen African labor.

“With my art, my pledge to it, with these particular pieces, is to honor, heal and educate. And that’s for all of us. Because I needed to be educated about my own African American history… I still am learning more and more each day as I research some of the work that I’m doing,” Henderson said. “But in the healing process, as a nation and as a people, it’s important for us to know that process… I think paintings do heal.”

“Nothing that we say can describe the beauty of these pieces,” Pisik said. “It’s just amazing to me, how André has created something as graceful and beautiful and detailed while bringing to light the story that he’s telling. I’m just thoroughly impressed with that juxtaposition, and how excellently it’s been executed.”

“The Journey” is on view at P2 Gallery from July 24 through August 25.