Art Talks with Rebecca Albiani: The Romani People

Wednesday, September 30th @ 11 a.m.

$20

Exploring centuries of artistic depictions, cultural narratives, and contemporary Romani voices. To complement DjangoFest Northwest, Rebecca Albiani will explore the many ways artists have portrayed the Roma people, whose culture and history have fascinated audiences since the Renaissance. From the fortune tellers painted by Caravaggio and his followers, which often reinforced negative stereotypes of people living on the margins of society, to the dreamlike mystery of Henri Rousseau’s Sleeping Gypsy, these works reveal changing attitudes toward the Roma across time. Rebecca will also examine Jacques Callot’s remarkable series of etchings depicting Romani life, which reflect an almost ethnographic curiosity and attention to detail. The presentation concludes with contemporary works by Romani artists whose art celebrates the richness, resilience, and diversity of Romani culture, offering perspectives that challenge historical misconceptions and honor a vibrant cultural heritage.

WICA

565 Camano Ave., Langley