Curated by Ayo Robinson, granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, FULL CIRCLE is a three-day art exhibition celebrating heritage, legacy, and global connection featuring artworks by Hendrick Lilanga, Joyce Ware, and Gedion Nyanhongo. Inspired by the legacy of her grandparents and her East African heritage, Robinson curated selected works that engender a sense of strength, wisdom, and the importance of joy, understanding, and unity in the world.

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Plan Your Visit

FULL CIRCLE will be on view at the Jackie Robinson Museum Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10. Exhibit hours are 11AM to 6PM on Friday and Saturday and 11AM to 5PM on Sunday.

Admission to FULL CIRCLE is included with regular Museum admission.

From the Curator

Curated by Ayo Robinson, granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, FULL CIRCLE is a celebration of heritage, legacy, positivity and global connection.

My grandparents Jackie and Rachel Robinson made their impact here in the United States, with values of Grandpa’s famous quote as a cornerstone to their legacies: “Life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” My father, their youngest son David, broadened that impact outside of the U.S. Settling in Tanzania, one of the ways he brought America and East Africa together was through art. Those choices of my grandparents and parents have shaped my life and inspired this exhibition. The combined cultures of my native U.S., and adoptive East Africa, engender a sense of strength, wisdom, and the importance of joy, understanding, and unity in my perception of the world.

FULL CIRCLE presents this journey through the art of three distinct artists: The wisdom of joy in life from Tanzanian Makonde painter Hendrick Lilanga, grandson of renowned painter George Lilanga; the awareness of the beauty all around us from the meditative close ups of African American photographer Joyce Ware; the strength and grace from the sculpture of Gedion Nyanhongo, of the Shona tribe, traditional stone carvers of Zimbabwe.

Given these indelible memories, with these artists, hosted by the organization founded by my grandmother Rachel Robinson, I could see no other concept but the FULL CIRCLE nature of life. It will be our great honor and pleasure to share the insight of our collective legacy, heritage and global connection with you through art and joy.

Featured Artists

Sculptor GEDION NYANHONGO continues the legacy of the Shona Tribe and his ancestors who built the ancient city which is now the Great Ruins of Zimbabwe. Having mastered one of the most ancient forms of art, the youngest artist in the exhibition, NYANHONGO, carves form and story from each piece of imported stone.

Painter HENDRICK LILANGA is the grandson of legendary artist GEORGE LILANGA who pioneered the style that is now a part of Tanzania’s artistic identity and inspired Western artists like Keith Haring. Continuing his grandfather’s legacy and influenced by the wood carving heritage of their Makonde tribe, LILANGA’s work explores culture, spirituality, and the essential nature of joy and fulfillment.

Photographer JOYCE WARE retired to Tanzania from a life of social activism in her native United States 32 years ago. At 85, she is the eldest artist of the show using one of the youngest forms of art, digitally enhanced photography. Her photography highlights her appreciation of the beauty in detail with the abstract passion of color.