She rose with the sun each day – and dedicated her life to her people in the most beautiful way!
One of the goals of white supremacy is erasing Black history and culture. But she wouldn’t let that happen.
No part of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson’s home was untouched by her art or Blackness. Every room was covered in the tools of her craft: brushes, journals, fabrics, and a homemade material called “hogmawg” used for her sculptures.
But Robinson wasn’t just creating for creating’s sake, she was documenting Black life.
Her art practice came from a deep desire to tell Black stories, and the belief that Black history is filled with near-superhuman perseverance. Robinson’s signature style, “RagGonNon,” featured mixed-media pieces that “ragged on” over time – once for 25 years – with additions like beads and shells.
Today, Robinson’s home has been converted into an art studio, and her work is on display at the Columbus Museum of Art. No matter one's feelings about art, we should remember that Black artists of every kind – from writers to musicians – have always been a necessary part of our liberation struggle and crucial to Black futures.
Like Robinson and other artists and historians, we must continue to write ourselves into the future while always honoring our history. No matter the medium, Black art deserves to be deeply valued and celebrated!