Catti James

“In her own work Catti rejects the traditional images of women in Western society as sex objects and has turned instead to models in Africa. Her work is a celebration of power, sexuality and pride in womanhood and her tendency is toward abstraction, a direct influence of African art which gives off a mystic, spiritual quality. She uses mirrors which many might see as simply decorative but Catti calls their use a political statement.” - Harlem Art Collection artist Coreen Simpson on Catti James, 1980.

Catti James was born in Westchester County, New York. In between receiving her degrees, James traveled to Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, to work as Harry Belafonte’s theatrical designer. While she worked as a freelance artist, she presented lectures on African Art that incorporated multimedia and sensory experiences. She lived in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York until she passed away in 2009.

Title Joy
Artist Catti James (1940 – 2009)
Date 1976
Medium mixed media
Dimensions 19 x 32 ½ inches
Accession Number H77.15   

This record is a work in progress. If you have additional information or spotted an error, please send feedback to Curatorial & Visitor Services.

Reproduction of the images contained on this page is not permitted without express permission.  If you would like to reproduce an image of a work of art in the collections overseen by the New York State Office of General Services, or an image of an OGS publication or archival material, please contact Curatorial & Visitor Services.