By Paul G. Chandler - July 29, 2024 Ferdinand Bol, Angel Appearing to Elijah,  1642, Oil on canvas I have been struck by the number of individuals that I have recently met who find themselves despairing, and experiencing a sense of hopelessness. It reminded me of a multi-platform marketing campaign I initiated in a previous role that I held. It was in a Western part of the US that had one of the highest rates of those who die by suicide. To capture people’s imaginations and w

An Interview by DakArtNews DakArtNews in Dakar, Senegal interviewed me regarding my own journey of growing up immersed in Senegal’s vibrant arts scene to the establishment of CARAVAN, focusing on the transformational power of the arts. To read this extensive interview, visit: https://dakartnews.com/2024/07/05/interview-with-paul-g-chandler-transforming-the-world-through-art/

By Paul G. Chandler - June 23, 2024 My daughter, of whom I am inestimably proud, has devoted her life to assisting young people with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Her vocational calling has sensitized me all the more to those with special needs. Here in the Chicago area, where I live, my attention was recently drawn to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab , a remarkable institution that specializes in rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe and c

-Exhibition: “The Lost World” by Soly Cissé – hosted by OH GALLERY, Dakar, Senegal Viewing Soly Cissé's Monde perdu # 5 , 2024, Pastel on canvas, 183 x 286 cm "In the middle of this road we call life, I found myself in a dark wood, with no clear path through."  So begins the 14th century Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s Inferno , the first part of his narrative poem Divine Comedy . The subject is taking a walk and suddenly finds himself disoriented and ends up on a journey into

Painting - “ Large Senegalese Family 2”  by Alioune Diagne, 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 297 x 207 cm (Museum of Black Civilizations, Dakar, Senegal) I have been repeatedly asked, “How has your visit to Senegal gone?” I often respond that it has felt like the entire country knew in advance that I was coming, and opened its arms wide to bless me beyond all imaginings. Words do not do justice to the inestimable gift that Senegal, my heart’s home, has given me on this visit. I exper

Today I came across the wisdom of a contemporary sage, Maria Popova, the founder of The Marginalian: "Everything is eventually recompensed, every effort of the heart requited, though not always in the form you imagined or hoped for. What redeems all of life’s disappointments, what makes all of its heartbreaks bearable, is the ability to see how the dissolution of a dream becomes the fertile compost of possibility." Can there be any words more poignantly beautiful? Running thr

Over the last months, unexpected events and other peoples’ agendas have led me to focus anew on spiritually delayering - allowing layers, like an onion, to peel off, as one goes to the very core. It is an absolutely necessary process toward experiencing and embodying an integrated and authentic spirituality that is not based upon institutional religion, but rather that flows naturally from the essence of one’s uniqueness as made in the image of the Great Artist. Here in Seneg

While preparing to travel to Senegal, a friend of mine, who is Nigerian, albeit based in Qatar, wrote me; “My best wishes as you reconnect with Mother Africa. It will be a grounding and rewarding experience.” The words Mother Africa, grounding and rewarding couldn’t have resonated more with my experience of Senegal these last couple weeks. Spending time in Africa is perhaps one of the most natural ways for me to touch base with the core of my being. In a very real sense, it i

Exhibition - “Pilgrimage” by Aliou Diack – hosted by OH Gallery  at Maison Ousmane Sow "I felt in need of a great pilgrimage, so I sat still for three days." - Hafiz c. 1320-1389 While the mystical and lyrical Persian poet felt that the best way for him to set out on pilgrimage was to “sit still for three days,” I felt a need to journey back to my roots, in order to reorient, renew and restore. Having grown up in Senegal, West

"African Renaissance Monument" There is a fresh wind of hope blowing throughout the country of Senegal following their recent presidential election. The new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye (known simply as “Diomaye”), had been imprisoned by the previous government under trumped up charges, was released just 10 days before the election date, and won 54% of the vote. He is only 44 years of age! One of his first actions as the new president was to meet with the previous preside

Kehinde Wiley's "Maze of Power" exhibition It is deeply inspiring to be here in Dakar, Senegal…the Land of “Teranga,” meaning the Land of “Hospitality” in the local language of Wolof. “Teranga” is certainly a word that beautifully explains much of the magic one experiences here. It was a real privilege to visit artist Kehinde Wiley’s new exhibition at the Museum of Black Civilizations here in Dakar. Wiley is often known as the artist commissioned to create the official portra

By Paul G. Chandler - May 18, 2024 Yasser Rostom, The Coming Supper, Ink and watercolor. This weekend the feast of Pentecost is being celebrated by many Western Christian religious traditions. I have always loved this feast day, as it represents to me the transformational power of what I like to refer to as the “divine mosaic” of our world. The Scriptures that are usually read on Pentecost tell of the early days of those desiring to continue following the teachings and exampl

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing his grandkids "The Tree" by...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing his grandkids "The Mystic" by...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing his grandkids Boutros Al Maari...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing his grandkids Macha Smyrne's...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing his grandkids the...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing the grandkids "Fulani Sheep...

“You can’t begin too soon to encourage an appreciation of art! And each artwork has a story.” Baba showing the grandkids "The Donkey - An...

By Paul G. Chandler At the beginning of every new year, I have a tradition of releasing a list of recommended books that have significantly influenced, inspired and/or entertained me over the prior year. Reading is one of my deepest pleasures. I resonate with the words of C.S. Lewis, that 20th century British author, when he wrote, “You can never get. . . a book long enough to suit me.” This is especially true during long winter months - perhaps the best season to release suc