Zippity Doo Dah invites viewers to step into the idyllic, memory-soaked visions of Lynthia Edwards’s Southern upbringing. Through vibrant portraits and assemblages, Edwards captures the essence of a Black Southern childhood, filled with dirt roads, chicken coops, fireflies, and hand-sewn quilts. Drawing from her rural Alabama roots, she reimagines these memories with a sense of joy and comfort, reflecting on family, tradition, and the enduring beauty of the South.
Rooted in Southern folk art, Edwards’s work blends the colors and textures of Alabama’s landscapes—the terracotta dirt, deep green fields, and expansive blue skies. Her pieces also incorporate vintage fabric patterns, grounding her art in the crafts and traditions of her community. With each portrait, Edwards channels the storytelling spirit passed down through generations, weaving together images of family and local life that celebrate a joyful, connected Southern experience.
Inspired by artists like Romare Bearden and William H. Johnson, Edwards merges collage techniques and folk realism to give voice to the Black Southern experience. Her work honors the past while offering a contemporary interpretation, bridging generations and expanding the dialogue about Southern Black culture.
In Zippity Doo Dah, Edwards presents a sensory journey that captures the often-overlooked beauty of rural Southern life. Through her art, she invites us to feel the textures, hear the sounds, and embrace the richness of Southern traditions, celebrating the joy, strength, and shared humanity of a region deeply rooted in American memory.
