"A Vision I Can't Forget"

This image is a powerful expression of self-examination and representation. While taking art classes at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Renée Stout was introduced to African art, which has had a lasting effect on her artistic production. The artist appears in the lower half of the composition and two symbols associated with the Kongo people are depicted on either side of the self-portrait. On the left, a nkisi figure, an object with mystical powers, hangs from the wall. Typically, minkisi (plural for nkisi) are stuffed with natural substances like minerals, plants, and animal remnants, which are believed to possess divine powers. While minkisi have diverse purposes, they are commonly used in rituals to ward off evil and to seek revenge on wrongdoers. The mask on the right side of the print represents another important element in Kongolese culture. Surrounding the objects are lines of numbers that refer to the practice of numerology, related to the belief that numbers have spiritual meanings and capabilities.