On the easel...

howard38 · #1 08-14-2013, 08:22 AM

.

martindl · #2 08-14-2013, 07:02 PM

An older black gentleman, perhaps 75 year old or so, was in my store ( antique mall) last week. He was wearing a Negro League t-shirt and we got to talking about old time baseball. I made a comment about it being shameful that it's only fairly recently that the Negro Leagues have been given their due. He stopped me mid sentence and told me it shouldn't be seen as 'shameful' as "we weren't looking for acceptance and don't need it now. These were our communities and the teams were just a part of it. It was a big family gathering and with all the clowns and zulus, I'd say we had a way better time than the white folk at their ballparks". I knew nothing of the Zulus before that conversation.

To the painting. Fabulous. What a great visual introduction to a part of baseball many know nothing about.

GKreindler · #3 08-14-2013, 07:16 PM

Thanks a lot for the support, guys.

Mark, you're right - and I know it! It's just weird because whenever I post a painting somewhere, be it on my website, here, or on Facebook, I always do it with the idea that I'm building this body of work that I'm proud of, and here's a part of it. With this Zulu Cannibal painting, that's definitely there too, but there's more - there's actually a need for me to post it. It's not something I've ever really felt before. I guess no matter how I look at it, this piece is gonna be really important.

I don't even know what that means, but I still believe it.

And with the '27 Yanks...I'll post an update soon - I promise!

Thanks again, y'all.

Graig

thecatspajamas · #4 08-14-2013, 08:47 PM

I don't know what the general reaction to it will be, but I can tell you right now that seeing that painting makes me want to learn more about the circumstances surrounding it, not just reject it out of hand. I must admit that, other than knowing that there was such a thing as the Negro Leagues, and that just about everything originally associated with them is now out of my price range, my knowledge of the Negro Leagues is very limited. I think, as Mark suggested, as long as wherever you post it, a story and link describing the background of the Zulu Cannibal Giants accompanies the post, any rational adult should be able to see it as documenting history rather than stirring up hate.

I say "thumbs up" on a job well done (as usual), and I would love to see the original photo this one was based on.

Jaybird · #5 08-14-2013, 11:34 PM

Incredible piece that needs to be shared. The questions that come from it and the outrage should be welcomed. That's part of the reason that I collect Negro League stuff as well. I want to have those hard discussions. When my son asks me why that man has his face painted and is on his knees posing with a bat and a grass skirt, it's going to be a tremendous learning lesson. Hopefully by asking and answering these questions we can become a more tolerant and enlightened society.

perezfan · #6 08-15-2013, 01:39 PM

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

JollyElm · #7 08-15-2013, 08:49 PM

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.

GKreindler · #8 08-15-2013, 09:10 PM

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:

And another:

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

And finally, the original shot of "Kankol":

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

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