Angela Hennessy facts for kids

Angela Hennessy is an American artist and teacher. She is a professor at the California College of the Arts. Angela also helped start a group called SeeBlackWomxn. She teaches about how death is shown in contemporary art. Angela mostly works with textiles, which are fabrics. She uses special materials like synthetic and human hair. With these, she creates large sculptures. These artworks explore ideas about the human body and life and death. Through her writing, art, and performances, she explores themes of death and those who have passed away. She makes beautiful, delicate art forms. She uses everyday actions like washing, wrapping, stitching, weaving, brushing, and braiding.

Angela Hennessy's Art Career

Art Shows and Exhibitions

Angela Hennessy's art has been shown in many places. Some of these include pt. 2 Gallery and Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland, CA. Her work has also been displayed at the Museum of the African Diaspora and the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, CA. Other places include the Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, WA. Her art is also part of the permanent collection at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. This means her work is kept there forever for people to see.

Awards and Recognition

Angela Hennessy has received several important awards. These include honors from Artadia and the Joan Mitchell Foundation. These awards recognize her talent and contributions to the art world.

Featured in Publications

Her artwork and ideas have been featured in many magazines. Some of these include Sculpture Magazine and The New Yorker. Her work has also appeared in Juxtapoz Magazine.

SeeBlackWomxn Movement

Angela Hennessy co-founded SeeBlackWomxn with Tahirah Rasheed. This group is a Black feminist art movement. It focuses on supporting and highlighting the work of Black women artists. It includes artists from different generations and countries.

SeeBlackWomxn became well-known for its campaign. This campaign was called "See Black Womxn: Rising." It aimed to challenge unfair practices in art organizations. This campaign started after a disagreement in 2019. Artist Lava Thomas had her idea for a public artwork honoring Maya Angelou accepted. Then, the offer was taken back. Angela Hennessy was on the panel that first chose Thomas's idea. In 2020, Thomas was given the commission again.

About Angela Hennessy's Life

Angela Hennessy lives and works in Oakland, California.

In 2015, Angela had a difficult personal experience. After this, she wrote a special book called The School of the Dead. This book combines poetry, prayers, and calls to action.

Angela has also volunteered at a hospice. This means she helped people and their families at the end of life. She is trained in methods that help people cope with grief. She also serves on the advisory board of Recompose.