Mound Magician, 1997
Radcliffe Bailey
At the center of the fan-shaped baseball diamond and marking the pitcher's mound, the number "25" is emblazoned on a star. The number belongs to Satchel Paige, the legendary pitcher who led the Kansas City Monarchs to five Negro League pennants, joined the major leagues and was the first player from the Negro Leagues to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mound Magician is rich with symbolism: vintage photographs of Negro League baseball, references to African countries and southern American cities, footprints running the bases, stamped arabesque patterns associated with Bailey's grandfather's wrought iron workshop, black baseballs, and vèvè, Voodoo symbols of ceremonial space. This assemblage also includes wrapped packets of "medicines" inspired by traditional African "power objects," sculptures to which various combinations of materials are added. These empowering substances are believed to positively affect the outcome of specific events.
Maverick Mist 
Abracadabra, simply magical Maverick. ✨
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Ha ha, thank you Miriam. 🙂
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Never ever a baseball diamond looked so colorful. I recently did a project with my son on Jackie Robinson, first African American to play in the national league.They fought so hard to get in the games.
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Thanks, great project to have with your son. 👍
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I like football and my favorite team is Beşiktaş 🙂
I think that every day of my life is magic because it has a lot of happy moments, i have a friend also 😉 He is my everything.
A different kind of post, thanks dear Maverick ❤
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Go Black Eagles! I looked it up. 😉
Your friend is very lucky and I hope that each day of yours continues to be magical and happy dear Semra. Thank you ❤ ❤
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❤ ❤
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Think some of this magic would help the Houston Astros?
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Go Astros! Hopefully this is their time. 🙂
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This reminds me of our indigenous peoples of Australia, Maverick. Many can now be seen playing in the major leagues, as well as many others from the Pacific Region, and from areas of the world that once were not included in the sporting arena. It is somewhat slow materialising; however, equality is raising its valiant head more and more. Naturally, there is also the other side of that coin; though, I believe we are heading in the right direction.
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I hope so Carolyn. Thank you. 🙂
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That’s an amazing piece of art. Where did you see it?
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Nelson – Atkins Museum of Art. 🙂
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That’s awesome 😊
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Thanks. 🙂
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