“God’s Greatest Hits by Sister Gertrude Morgan a book made around 1970. It is usually encapsulated behind a glass or clear plastic case and placed on a white pedestal roughly three feet tall. The book stands around ten inches vertically for display. The paper pages are compacted with tempera paintings, prayers, illustrations and inspirational speeches. The colors used are vibrant shades and tones of predominately primary colors, like red, blue and yellow. The images are simple and messages are direct. The edges of these pages are slightly worn and discolored.
Each page is designed by hand. Sister Gertrude Morgan’s handwritten poetry, prayers, speeches, and affirmations overlap preexisting text. Images painted in acrylic over the text also convey her adventures, visions and messages to humanity. Her message centers on encouraging people to focus their energy toward helping each other rather than superficial gain. Some illustrated figures reference the artist herself with a brown tone and religious gear marked by the cross. Other figures drawn with wings allude to celestial beings around us, bordering and lining her pages through her words. These figures are painted in peach tones with white wings. Each page conveys individual expressions of reverence for God and the teachings of fellowship and maintaining humanity through service and education. This woven narrative gives little indication of a linear perspective of her life. As a result, most works are undated or dated with a range of dates. “
Sister Gertrude Morgan
Sister Gertrude Morgan — b. 1900, LaFayette, Alabama; d. 1980, New Orleans Artist Page
Artworks Related to African and African Diaspora and Self-taught artists