Rites I 1983

Varnette Honeywood made this piece, Rites I, with mixed media collage using different papers, fabrics, and photographs. It's like Honeywood built up the image from fragments, and each one has its own texture and story. The patterns on the fabrics are lively, like she's capturing a community's vibrant energy. Look at how the faces are collaged together, and how the cotton in the center takes on new meaning. It makes you think about history, identity, and the many layers of experience. There’s a depth to the work, not just in the materials used but in the stories they evoke. The way Honeywood puts all these elements together reminds me a little of Romare Bearden, another artist who was so good at weaving personal and historical narratives into his collages. Ultimately, this piece invites us to reflect on how history shapes who we are and how we see the world.