Napoleon Jones-Henderson, a founding member of the influential African American artist collective AfriCOBRA, has died. Born in Chicago in 1943, he studied at the Sorbonne and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was mentored by Bauhaus textile artist Else Regensteiner. In 1969, he co-founded AfriCOBRA, becoming known as "the weaver" of the group for his vibrant textile works that incorporated metallic threads and found objects. He later moved to Boston, taught at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and maintained a prolific studio practice in Roxbury for over 50 years, creating works focused on empowerment, Pan-Africanism, and racial justice.
Jones-Henderson's passing marks the loss of a key figure in the Black Arts Movement and a pioneer of fiber art. His work and mentorship helped shape generations of artists and cemented AfriCOBRA's legacy as a force for collective empowerment and cultural affirmation. His integration of life and art, his commitment to community, and his vibrant aesthetic remain an enduring inspiration.