Shie Moreno
Location: 1911 5th Street (north of home in Alley)
Photo by Peter Kowalchuk
“Our African Queen”
Queen Idia of the ancient African Kingdom of Benin is a legendary female warrior, mother, patron of the arts, and dreamer who transcended gender norms. She became famous for dressing up as a man, marching along with her son Esigie, the Oba king of Benin, and fighting and winning the Idah Battle of 1515. Historians credit her mystical powers and medicinal knowledge as the foundation to her son's success on the battlefield. Her transcendental powers and resilience are still revered. After Idia’s death, Oba (king) Esigie ordered craftsmen to create spectacular bronze heads and masks to honor his mother’s military achievements and ceremonial powers. These creations can be found in some of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the British Museum in London, the Nigerian National Museum in Lagos, and more. Today, the powers and devotional practices Queen Idia and others from West Africa relied on for strength and guidance live on. With the slave trade came rhythms, dances, spiritual powers, and Yoruba traditions from West Africa that continue to have strong roots in the Caribbean, especially in Brazil and Cuba. These cultural traditions are an integral part of my identity as an Afro-Cuban artist and musician. Despite the hardships and oppression of the Yoruba people and their culture, the oral and spiritual traditions continue to serve as a source of strength and resilience.
Shie Moreno is an Afro-Cuban refugee who immigrated to the U.S. as part of the Mariel boat lift. As a teen through my early thirties I obsessively painted in the streets, earning me a spot in Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon’s History of American Graffiti & The Wynwood Walls and Doors book. My art is a reflection of my heritage & cultural influences.
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