Ridin' the Moon in Texas: Word Paintings

by Ntozake Shange

When Ntozake Shange moved from New York City to Houston, what she missed most in her new home was the delight and questioning that New York’s lively community of visual artists had always offered her. This book was conceived as a vehicle to make possible the stimulating interchange between the visual arts and poetry that Shange found herself craving.

Using the classic call-and-response structure of black music, Shange let the visual art act as the call and responded with her own voice: “I speak to these sculptures, wood prints, and paintings as I would to a friend over coffee or champagne. These pieces are not meant as an explanation of a visual maze, but as a conversation that goes on al night long. I remember vaguely but intimately a Mapplethorpe nude, a Pindell tapestry, a Puryear ellipse. I remember and then I can go on and speak my mind. Reminding my friends of the glory of the discourse of seeing.”

Genres: Poetry, Art

81 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Ntozake Shange (pronounced En-toe-ZAHK-kay SHONG-gay) was an African-American playwright, performance artist, and writer who is best known for her Obie Award winning play for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.

Among her honors and awards are fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and a Pushcart Prize.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shange’s idea of responding to paintings is a fairly empty conceit. Top tip: New Orleans Nuptials.

[noosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my favorite poets she’s such a beautiful fucking writer o h my god