Brooklyn Talks: Bisa Butler and Barbara Bullard at the Brooklyn Museum

I had the honor of attending a special event held at the BROOKLYN MUSEUM on February, 20th 2025. This was a day where I was a bit down and out as I decided just a few days before to choose my mental peace and start a new Chapter of my life by taking a Leap of Faith. A chapter where I want to choose ME and my Peace of Mind. I wanted to get better at choosing to Love myself and not rely on others to validate me and get better at knowing my worth.

What better day while in the month of BLACK HISTORY. Bisa Butler and Barbara Bullard came out to discuss with us; curated by Stephanie Sparling Williams, one of our late Great Black Women in American History and in Black ‘HERstory’, in general. Someone who didn’t care what others thought. A woman who stood ON BUSINESS! A very admirable woman of color. I needed to be empowered. I wanted to be reminded how great I could be. A difference I could make in this world.

Shirley Chisholm. What a Powerful and highly educated Black Woman in our History. AND SHES FROM MY BORO OF BROOKLYN!!! She was the first Black Woman in the United States Congress. This was one of my 1st #BkMTalks and what an informative discussion it was for me. Sadly, growing up, I didn’t learn about many of our Black Women who had paved the way for us. I didn’t learn about many of them until I was older. This was due to me growing up in a non-black neighborhood and in an environment where it wasn’t “OK” to be Proud being BLACK.

Barbara Bullard has been a strong voice for black women and she reminded us how great and powerful Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was. Barbara Bullard is the current President of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute. This organization, by using arts and education helps to promote social justice and continues to preserve the legacy of Mrs. Chisholm. It’s been 20 years since Shirley Chisholm passed away on January, 1st 2005.

This was an extra special event because we got to see a new exhibit which is currently at the Brooklyn Museum, titled, TOWARD JOY: New Frameworks for American Art.

Although I was raised and surrounded by Strong Black women in my family, it wasn’t until I became older that I started learning more and more about the amazing women who were making ways for us in this world. I wanted to learn about them so I could instill positive proof into my daughters’ lives that we can be anything we want to be and there were many women out here making valuable changes for us.

This installation features a Quilted portrait of Shirley Chisholm designed by Bisa Butler who is known for her textile art. It was created in 2024. She calls it, “Bring A Folding Chair.” This Quilt is designed using Wool, Silk, Cotton, Polyester, Vinyl, Quilted and Appliqued. The colors, the patterns,,, how it all comes together in real life is so DOPE!

Bisa Butler is a graduate of Howard University with a Fine Arts Bachelors degree. She has won many awards and even use to be an Art Teacher. Her Quilted Portraits can be seen all over the world. I first seen her work at The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture but she has also had her art at The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, The Newark Museum, just to name more.

I suggest you check out your local museums and see if they have her work or you can follow her on IG (@BisaButler) because she is active with informing her followers on where she will be and where you can check her artwork out at. Her Masterpieces are also available to purchase if your money is long. Her work is definitely art I would have in my home or Book Cafe if I could.

Bisa Butler’s work is unique and cannot be compared to anyone else. It’s based on real people. The subjects jump out and somewhat has a conversation with you. It’s as if you can get a feel of what the (real) person is like in real life. When the portraits hang in front of you, it captures your attention for a long time.

I loved the way the dress Shirley Chisholm is wearing is uneven with the boarder of the Quilt. The variety of colors that blend and match with each other. THE FOLDING CHAIRS were Extra special. It somehow made sence for them to be there. And in this new chapter I’m approaching, the chairs said to me, ‘Bring Ya Own Chair if there isn’t one at the table you’re about to sit at!’ There were even patterns of Cotton. Bisa also signed the Quilted Portrait in Brown ink/marker.

As I stared at it for a long while, I had to give thanks for her life and for fighting for every black person, especially Black Women. Her legacy will live on forever in our history no matter how bad white people want to erase all that my people have done for this country. As parents and elders, in some cases, we have to be sure to teach the youth and generations that are following us.

We have to visit our local museums and libraries. We must continue supporting artist and authors who keep our history alive. We cannot leave it up to other races to teach our children OUR History. I believe we must teach our HIStory and HERstory to our own kids. Proper Education starts at home no matter the subject.

If you are in the NYC area, please check this exhibit out. They have many rooms of different artwork, sculptures and each room has a color and a THEME. The “Chair” themed spaces is what intrigued me most. It gave me new meaning to, “Have a Seat!” and “Siddown” and “Have Several Seats!” and “Take a load off”… Stay tuned for my blog where I will go into more details about this room, titled: “Several Seats.”

Funny moment: This couple were tourist from another country. Clearly they didn’t know the significance of the ‘New’ Folding Chair meaning because they were so excited to take a picture with this one hanging on the wall. I wondered to myself,,, ‘Who will be the one to tell them?’… Hopefully it wont be due to a FAAFO situation while they were visiting NYC…

Thank You for checking my blog out and Always

SPREAD LOVE ITS THE BKLYN TYE WAY!