As galleries around the world begin to slowly reopen, we are spotlighting individual shows—online and IRL—that are worth your attention.
“Renaissance Noir“
Online through July 3 at UTA Artist Space
What the gallery says: “‘Renaissance: Noir’ investigates Blackness on the continuum of the historiographies of African American artists’ narratives that assert, individually and collectively, their state-of-mind and state-of-being Black. An existence of ‘double consciousness,’ as coined by W.E.B. DuBois, where one is constantly combating the ‘isms’—racism, colorism, sexism, capitalism, colonialism, escapism, and criticism—through the act of artistic activism.
In claiming agency over ‘otherness’ and cultural emancipation from a Eurocentric lens, exuberant thought-provoking paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, and conceptual works serve as chronological annals that delineate the social, political, and historical journey of the Black experience through intergenerational narratives that span over 40 years of artistic production.”
Why it’s worth a look: This new virtual exhibition at UTA Artist Space brings together works by 12 Black artists (Tawny Chatmon, Wesley Clark, Alfred Conteh, Larry Cook, Morel Doucet, Monica Ikegwu, Ronald Jackson, M. Scott, Ronald Jackson, M. Scott Johnson, Delita Martin, Arvie Smith, Nelson Stevens, and Felandus Thames) and is organized by Myrtis Bedolla, owner of the Baltimore-based Galerie Myrtis.
A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Artist Relief, a project run by 23 grant-making organizations that are providing aid to artists hit by economic headwinds.
What it looks like:
Alfred Conteh, Aston and Ethan (2020). Courtesy of the artist.
Delita Martin, I See God in Us/Soul Mates (2020). Courtesy of the artist.
Alfred Conteh, Shan (2019). Courtesy of the artist.
Monica Ikegwu, Jacob (2020). Courtesy of the artist.
Monica Ikegwu, Sister’s Keeper (2020). Courtesy of the artist.
Morel Doucet, Cane Sugar (i’m learning to love the parts of myself that no one claps for) (2019). Courtesy of the artist.
Arvie Smith, Best Man (2016). Courtesy of the artist.
Arvie Smith, Eclipse (2019). Courtesy of the artist.
Felandus Thames, Black and Blue (2016). Courtesy of the artist.
Felandus Thames, Portrait of the First Post-Black, Courtesy of the artist.
Flandus Thames, Reframe (Mike Tyson) (2020). Courtesy of the artist.
M. Scott Johnson, Head of a Negro Stargazer (2019). Courtesy of the artist.
M. Scott Johnson, Neo Negro Cartouche (2006). Courtesy of the artist.
M. Scott Johnson, Headstone of Queen Elizabeth Catlett (2012). Courtesy of the artist.
Nelson Stevens, Spirit Sister (2013). Courtesy of the artist.
Nelson Stevens, Bonnie: Hoodoo Bone Boogie Series (1989). Courtesy of the artist.
Nelson Stevens, Booker T. in Tuskegee (1979). Courtesy of the artist.
Larry Cook, Urban Landscape #1 (2018). Courtesy of the artist.
Larry Cook, Urban Landscape #4 (2018). Courtesy of the artist.
Wesley Clark, Open Season (2004-present). Courtesy of the artist.
Tawny Chatmon, The Revelation Glory. Courtesy of the artist.
Tawny Chatmon, Seeds Sown. Courtesy of the artist.
Ronald Jackson, A Dwelling Down Roads Unpaved. Courtesy of the artist.