Harlem, one of the most well known areas in New York City is also a great place to learn about art and culture. It is known as the home of the The Magic Theater, The Apollo and Sylvia’s restaurant. It is also known for its beautiful art galleries and museums such as the Schaumburg and the Studio Museum in Harlem.

One of Harlem’s newest art galleries is P.C.O.G., which stands for Paula Coleman & Ousmane Gueye. Paula Coleman has been an art lover since a young girl in her teens. A few years back, Coleman had a vision of opening up an art gallery that displays all forms of art including photography, oil and water paintings and stone sculptures. At that time, she had a friend who was a radio DJ, who introduced her to Ousmane Gueye. He is an abstract artist with a vivid imagination who at that time did not have a studio to present his craftsmanship. Coleman and Gueye shared similar tastes in forms of art and color. Naturally there was a creative bond between the two. After only two weeks of knowing each other, Coleman and Gueye collaborated; Coleman served as a representative for Gueye’s work and in a short time they found a location in Harlem to put their dreams together.

At P.C.O.G. art comes in many forms. The main exhibits are by Ousmane Gueye and Carrie Mae Weems. Gueye, born in Senegal, Africa, is a renowned international sculptor. He received his first major recognition from Leopold Senghor, President of Senegal and poet, who admired Gueye‘s work so much, he sent Gueye to Paris to pursue his passion in art. Gueye’s individual stones and carvings are named after him called “The Ouamanes”. Each sculpture conveys his vision of humanity. The wood and stone sculptures by Ousmane are twisted in an abstract form that creates a human-like image. The sculpture by Gueye resembles tranquility; they look peaceful and blooming and, at the same time, very strong. When I stepped into Gueye’s section in the gallery, I felt enlightened. I admire artists who can capture a worldly feeling. His work is one of a kind.

Carrie Mae Weems is an artist who reflects her feelings through texts and images on plates and fabrics. Her photography expresses spiritual and emotional feelings. Her photographs project aesthetic and political thoughts. Her work reflects the social morals that exist today. Paula Coleman and Carrie Mae Weems have known each other since childhood. Photography is one of Coleman’s favorite art forms. “It is something captured at the moment that you can see again,” says Coleman. “There is a kind of realness in photography that is not similar to an abstract sculpture.”
Coleman envisions art as an enchanting world when she steps into her gallery. She says, “The paintings are like the guards. When I come into the painting they kind of protect me, they are kind of like my court; the stone sculptures are like the kings and queens that I sort of bow down to, it’s almost like there in charge.”

When I was at P.C.O.G., I was happy to see all different types of people amused as they analyzed the artworks. This art gallery has commodities for everyone to enjoy.
P.C.O.G is located at 1902 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd at 115th street in Harlem New York.