The California African American Museum (CAAM) will be home to Los Angeles artist Dominique Moody’s assemblage mobile dwelling the Nomad, from Tuesday, December 1 through Saturday, December 5.

Assembled from corrugated patina metal, reclaimed wood, found objects, galvanized metal, polycarbonate panels, end grain plywood and natural cork, Dominique Moody will live in the trailer and offer free tours in her portable artwork. Tours are available from Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the duration of its visit to CAAM.

Despite loosing part of her eyesight due to a genetic form of Macular Degeneration, Moody’s creative insight continues to reach new heights and has required her to transition from being a realist illustrator to an assemblage sculptor.  Los Angeles has enabled Moody to become immersed in the creative community and broad spectrum of art to began practicing the art of assemblage. Moody successfully funded her current creation, NOMAD in 2012 through the US Artists Projects Online Fundraiser.

“The Nomad is an assemblage artwork that functions as a dwelling and is mobile. Its practice reflects the ideas and actions of social sculpture. As a portrait of home, it inspires viewers to remember, think and feel a call and response to action.  It's mobility commands freedom. Its porch evokes storytelling,” says Moody. “Its creation was inspired by my personal and family story through a cultural legacy.”

The project, now a “life practice” took close to four years to complete, but for Moody it was a 30-year dream. Black and born in Germany during the 1950s, Moody developed a comprehensive perspective of the world through her family’s ability to nomadize. Constantly on the move she created a special connection and foundation to the African diaspora. Through a Mitochondrial test Moody’s sister discovered their family origins traced back to Africa’s Fulani tribe, ironically, the largest pastoral nomadic group in the world.

Moody graduated high school at the age of 15 and as an emancipated minor began living on her own in New York. As a painter and illustrator she studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York. Throughout her creative journey, Moody has been granted numerous awards and participated in group and solo exhibitions. The success of her “Into the Dreambox” exhibition at the Watts Towers Art Center in 1996, prompted her to move to Los Angeles.

Exhibition Workshop

Found Object Assemblage Workshop With Dominique Moody

Saturday, December 5, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

CAAM and the artist will provide all materials. Please bring photo reproductions or small personal objects to add to your assemblage.  RSVP is preferred by calling (213) 744-2024. This event is free and open to the public.

All CAAM exhibitions, events and programs are free.  CAAM is located at 600 State Drive Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90037. Parking is $10 located on Figueroa and 39^th streets. For more information visit www.caamuseum.org or follow CAAM on social media at @CAAMinLA, #CAAMinLA.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

“TOWARD FREEDOM: A Photo Exhibition of the Beta Israel Community in Israel & Ethiopian Community in Los Angeles” on view through January 3, 2016

“COLORING INDEPENDENTLY: 1940s African American Film Stills from the Collection of CAAM” on view through February 28, 2016

“CAAM COURTYARD SERIES: Metaphors – Charles Dickson” on view through April 10,  2016

“HARD EDGED: Geometrical Abstraction and Beyond” on view through April 24, 2016

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

The California African American Museum (CAAM) is a state agency charged with researching, collecting, preserving and interpreting for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. Collaboratively operating in partnership with its 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum, CAAM houses a permanent collection of over 4,000 objects of art, artifacts and historical documents, and a publicly accessible Research Library containing more than 20,000 volumes.