Tucked on the first floor of the Elmont Memorial Library was a prominent display of artwork in recognition of Black History Month. The gallery, by Donald Sanusi, is filled with bold colors and various forms of expression, reflecting on his own personal experiences.
Sanusi moved to the United States at 16 from Sierra Leone, West Africa. He initially believed his artwork would focus primarily on African landscapes and familiar scenery from his childhood. Instead, his creative direction shifted as his experiences in America reshaped his understanding of identity, race and culture.
Sanusi now lives in Elmont with his wife, Katrina Sanusi. She said it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he fully immersed himself in his passion for art, dedicating more time to painting and drawing while much of the world slowed down.
Describing his work, Katrina Sanusi said it is not overly abstract. “You pretty much know what it is,” she said. Rather than attempting to break down the piece, she explained, her husband’s pieces invite viewers to reflect on the role the imagery plays in their own lives, depending on their background and worldview.
She added that once he begins a piece, he is clear about its direction and purpose. “He knows what he is going to accomplish,” she explained. “Either the mode he is in, the message he wants to send, his emotions, the frustrations.”
Women commonly serve as the focal point in his pieces. According to his wife Katrina, he believes women are frequently shortchanged in society and seeks to illustrate the depth of the roles they play. His portrayals highlight both suffering and resilience, capturing what she described as their triumphs and victories alongside their struggles.
As Sanusi adjusted to life in the United States, he said his expectations did not match reality. Experiencing new social dynamics and racial constructs that were unfamiliar to him became a defining influence on his artistic voice.
“I did not understand coming from Africa,” said Donald. “I did not understand what blackness meant, what racism was, and profiling and stuff like that.”
He said that when he first encountered profiling and racism, he did not initially recognize what was happening. Without formal a support system to help process those experiences, he turned to art.
“No kind of therapy or anything was available,” he said.
Sanusi said that coming from Africa, he was aware of the many stories that remain untold or misunderstood in the United States. Through his artwork, he aims to educate people on African history and culture that are often overlooked.
His work, he said, is influenced by the African oral tradition, in which storytelling serves as a means for preserving history. Through his artistic storytelling, he sometimes softens difficult subject matter using vibrant or gentle color palettes. This contrast allows viewers to approach complex themes in a more accessible way.
Viewers of his artwork may interpret the same piece in different ways, he explained, shaped by their own perspectives and lived experiences. He shared that he often listens first to how individuals interpret his art before sharing his own intentions.
“I think it is a better way to pass the story down,” he explained.
