Bekezela Mguni: Ancestral Lines

Ancestral Lines explores and honors the experiences of women of African descent with an array of vibrant text and images spanning the last century. The piece includes a quote by Anna Julia Cooper, a scholar, educator, and Black Liberation activist. Cooper was one of the first Black women to earn a doctoral degree in the United States, and embraced education in service to her people’s freedom. The artist embeds her own poetry across the surface of a woman’s face, reflecting on generations within her family and referencing the visual language of zines. The work reclaims spiritual iconography and uses collage techniques to create powerful expressions of gratitude, history, and praise.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website