An active participant in both American and Malian culture over the last fifteen years, Janet Goldner’s thoughts and world view are always simultaneously American and Malian. Her collaboration with Malian artists has been the key to her experience and understanding of Malian culture. It began due to their remarkably similar world views, across culture and education and is based on mutual respect and admiration, curiosity, dedication and passion amongst an international community of artists.
Janet says. “We have let each other into our lives and our artistic process so all are simultaneously researcher and subject. Our common purpose has to do with cultural preservation in the aftermath of the disruption of slavery and colonialism. This work involves research into the past and bringing our findings into the present and the future as saved artifacts and concepts, ways of thinking and being and as contemporary works of art.”
Janet’s anchor within the family of artists has fostered her involvement with the wider culture. She has been involved in projects with and about Malian women over the last ten years.