Fences & Neighbors, Installation (Photographs, Text, Video, Sound, Barbed Wire), 2016. A “powerful…show… by…Janet Goldner on immigration.” Holland Cotter, The New York Times, April 21, 2016. The full video can be seen in the video section.

Ebola Came to Mali on a Bus, 10 feet x 12 feet x 4 feet, Steel, Gloves, Goggles, 2015

Fire & Water, Steel, Video, Sound, 10 feet x 10 feet, 2014 ||| This mixed media wall installation combines welded steel, video and sound. It pays homage to the potters and blacksmiths in Mail. The videos are documentary. The sculptural elements are abstract. Since they are inspired by the same source, they compliment and enlarge each other.

The Point of Water, Aljira, Newark, NJ, 8 feet x 7 feet x 5 inches, steel, 2011 ||| Composed of fabricated & recycled steel objects. In Bamana thought, along with north, south, east & west, water is the 5th cardinal point. Water determines where villages are located. Circles symbolize water. Ellipses can symbolize a body of water.

The Point of Water, Gallery 128, New York City, 8 feet x 7 feet x 5 inches, steel, 2008 ||| Composed of fabricated & recycled steel objects. In Bamana thought, along with north, south east & west, water is the 5th cardinal point. Water determines where villages are located. Circles symbolize water. Ellipses can symbolize a body of water.

The Point of Water, detail

Negelan, 6 feet x 9 feet x 8 inches, steel, 2005 ||| Negelan is composed of elements, iconography that have occurred in Janet’s work for many years. Cut-out steel figures, feathers, hands, and geometric patterning comprise the intricate, lacy steel elements of this large-scale wall installation. Negelan is in the permanent collection of the American Embassy in Bamako, Mali.

Have We Met? ||| Gestural steel sculptures inspired by Malian sculpture and a video with sound presents aspects of daily life in Karenguimbe, village in northern Mali. Presenting images that are small, personal and human, Janet’s aim is to offer a realistic image of Africa that is nuanced and positive, countering persistent negative stereotypes.

Have We Met? Video ||| A split-screen video presents aspects of daily life in the remote natal village of Janet’s close friend & collaborator, artist Kandioura Coulibaly. Karenguimbe is close to the site of Kumbi Saleh, the ancient capital of the Wagadu, the 1st Empire in West Africa. It was rich from cattle & gold and flourished from the 8th to the 11th century.

Interesting Times: 24 feet x 4 feet, vinyl banners, steel cable, 2013 ||| 12 banners present images of cultural sites and images of protests in countries where there have been recent upheavals. The banners are strung like prayer flags or laundry to show the rich cultural heritage and the breadth of the global crisis.

Interesting Times-detail: The global breadth of the crisis

Moving Fence, 4 feet x 10 feet x 5 feet, mixed media, 1995; Global Sweatshop at Art in General, NYC

Souvenirs from Africa, Souvenirs From Africa, 7 feet x 6 feet x 5 feet, mixed media, 1996

Souvenirs from Africa-detail, Souvenirs From Africa, 7 feet x 6 feet x 5 feet, mixed media, 1996