This exhibition offers the unique opportunity to discover an exciting cultural dialogue at the crossroads where the influences of Western and African art traditions intersect. Curated by Michael Harris, assistant professor of African and African American Art History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the show explores the creations of African artists who have either lived or worked in North America and African American artists who have either visited the African continent or worked with African artists.

Seven African artists — Skunder Boghossian, Sokari Douglas Camp, Rashid Diab, Amir Nour, Moyo Ogundipe, Moyo Okediji and Ouattara and seven African American artists — Jean-Michel Basquiat, John Biggers, Jeff Donaldson, Yvonne Edwards-Tucker, Winnie Owens-Hart, Charles Searles, and Al Smith — are included. Forty works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics and prints, reflect issues of identity while expressing both pulsating rhythms and improvisation among bursts of color and quieter, more contemplative moments.

Although the influence of African art on African American artists has received considerable attention, this exhibition is among the first to show the influences of African American art on African artists, an exchange that continues to produce art that is both culturally unique and aesthetically rich.

An 80-page, illustrated color catalogue accompanies the exhibition. It contains two essays, one by Michael Harris, and the other by African scholar and artist, Moyo Okediji, whose paintings are included in the exhibition. Call (919) 966-5736 to order. TTY: (919) 962-0837.