HAVING OUR SAY - A Visual Reflection
ARTIST'S STATEMENT:
“When I first experienced "Having Our Say," I didn’t simply hear the Delany sisters’ story—I heard the echoes of every woman whose strength was quietly carried from one generation to the next.
This painting is my response.
Through layers of portraiture, handwritten words, stitched surfaces, torn linen, and weathered textures, I sought to honor the truths that live beyond history books. The visible repairs remind us that healing does not erase what came before. The handwritten passages speak to wisdom whispered from mothers, grandmothers, mentors, and ancestors whose voices continue to shape us.
The Delany sisters remind us that resilience is not extraordinary because it is loud. It is extraordinary because it endures.
As an artist, I have come to believe that every portrait carries more than a likeness—it carries memory. Every scar, every stitch, every layer becomes part of a larger conversation about survival, dignity, and legacy.
May this work encourage us to listen a little longer, remember a little deeper, and carry forward the stories that made us who we are.
Because the body remembers… and so does the soul.”
– Sydnei SmithJordan
“When I first experienced "Having Our Say," I didn’t simply hear the Delany sisters’ story—I heard the echoes of every woman whose strength was quietly carried from one generation to the next.
This painting is my response.
Through layers of portraiture, handwritten words, stitched surfaces, torn linen, and weathered textures, I sought to honor the truths that live beyond history books. The visible repairs remind us that healing does not erase what came before. The handwritten passages speak to wisdom whispered from mothers, grandmothers, mentors, and ancestors whose voices continue to shape us.
The Delany sisters remind us that resilience is not extraordinary because it is loud. It is extraordinary because it endures.
As an artist, I have come to believe that every portrait carries more than a likeness—it carries memory. Every scar, every stitch, every layer becomes part of a larger conversation about survival, dignity, and legacy.
May this work encourage us to listen a little longer, remember a little deeper, and carry forward the stories that made us who we are.
Because the body remembers… and so does the soul.”
– Sydnei SmithJordan
This extraordinary work is on display at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at Allen AME through July 19, 2026. The piece is available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds supporting East Lynne Theater Company.
Interested parties should contact ELTC by email or phone: 609-602-8703 or [email protected].
Interested parties should contact ELTC by email or phone: 609-602-8703 or [email protected].
