It makes me want to learn more as well. I have to plead complete ignorance on this subject matter, so will briefly asked here...

Why is he on his knees?
Why is his face painted (like a reverse of Al Jolson?)
Why does it look like he's just posing (as opposed to actually preparing to swing?)
What is the significance of the child in the background (if any?)

Since I didn't see any of these answers above, I am hoping someone here can address. I can feel the sadness and futility, but my curiosity of the actual content is getting the better of me :o

Yeah, Graig, I think plenty of us need an explanation of what exactly this painting shows. I can't be the only one who has no idea what is being portrayed here.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the lack of an explanation.

From what I've learned in my own research or by what my client has told me, the Zulu Cannibals were a Negro League team that wasn't an official member of any formal league. Being a creature of Charlie Henry in the mid-1930s, they would done African tribal paint while they played, as well as going shirtless, barefoot, and wore little more than grass skirts. I've read that they were the same kind of attraction that the Harlem Globetrotters would later become, but were quite capable of playing some serious ball.

From what I can gather, this particular shot of "Kankol" must have been for promotional purposes, as similar ones can be seen in the broadsides depicting the team from the era. Speaking of which, those were pretty...um...telling themselves.

Check out this one:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps39618b86.jpg

And another:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psed3ceee3.jpg

And here's a photo of "Wahoo", which was used in the above:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps13a080ce.jpg

And finally, the original shot of "Kankol":

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps20389327.jpg

Who the little girl is in the back is anybody's best guess.

So, yeah, this stuff is kinda tough to approach, but so important to not forget.

Hope this helps.

Graig

Graig, I love that picture almost as much as your paining of Jackie Robinson stepping into the light. Although I find your work nostalgic and visually stunning, this painting is unfiltered and highly evocative.

Graig,
Thanks for the background info. Very interesting!

I must say that you did a terrific job of bringing that B/W image to life!
That being said, it's no surprise because you continue to amaze me with your talent. ;)

Amen.

Hey guys,

Hope everyone's keeping cool as summer winds down.

So, I got these three back from the photographer today. Actually, there were five in total, but the other two I can't show just yet.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psd5ff6e7b.jpg
Babe Ruth, 1928, 16" x 20"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps2afdf341.jpg
Ed Walsh, 1913, 14" x 20"

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ps79f0a98d.jpg
Kankol, 30" x 34"

I wish I had more of an idea when the Kankol image was from, but the information on the man is scarce. I do know that he was with the team between 1934 and 1949 or so, and that's a pretty large window. There doesn't seem to be anything in the photograph to give away when it was from.

Anywho, as per usual, any comments/critiques/problems/whatever are always welcome.

Thanks for checking 'em out!

Graig

As usual, great stuff Graig.
I love the Walsh. and Kankol. And Ruth. OK, all of them.

Beautiful stuff as always, and congrats as well on the glowing article in SCD.

link? Please.