imageoftheblack

The Persistence of History, 2010 by S. Ross Browne

The Image of the Black: Reimagined & Redefined

September 13 – December 15, 2015

artwork | artist bios | press
 
The Image of the Black: Reimagined and Redefined black identity is reaffirmed through the black gaze. Artists draw from the familiar and the imagined to reinscribe the notion of blackness within the context of self. Their imagery deconstructs the white representation of race and racism, and shifts the visual paradigm to the interpretation of the black experience by blacks.

Visual tropes defy the sociohistorical construct of the “other” as inculcated through the white gaze that stereotypically degrades and dehumanizes blacks; and offers instead, an exploration of black body politics through figurative and conceptual works that challenge stereotypes, honor the black family, and as in the words of Arvie Smith, “pays homage to the dispossessed and marginalized members of our society.”

artwork

S. Ross Browne The Persistence of History 2010 Acyrlic on canvas 40 x 30 in.

S. Ross Browne, The Reconciliation, 2013 Acyrlic on canvas, 36 x 30 in.

S. Ross Browne, The Calm, 2013, Acyrlic on canvas, 60 x 40 in.

Ronald Jackson, Profiles of Color #8, Acrylic and oil paint, paper and fabric on cradled wooden panel , 16 x 16 in.

Ronald Jackson, Profiles of Color #4, Acrylic and oil paint, paper and fabric on cradled wooden panel , 16 x 16 in.

Ronald Jackson, Profiles of Color #1, Acrylic and oil paint, paper and fabric on cradled wooden panel , 16 x 16 in.

One More Hour, 2011, Acyrlic on canvas, 36 x 24 in.

Delita Martin, Felise in Blue, 2015, Gelatin printing, hand-stitched fabric, conte and acrylic 50 x 38 in.

Delita Martin, Portrait #4 (Louise), 2015, Relief and hand-stitching, 30 x 22 in.

Delita Martin, Portrait #4 (Jannie), 2015, Relief and hand-stitching, 30 x 22 in.

T. Eliott Mansa, Amazon Ochossi, 2013, Mixed media

Nina Buxenbaum, Pair, 2012, Pair, Oil on panel, 24 x 18in.

Nina Buxenbaum, Revealed, 2013, Oil on linen, 32 x 50in.

Nina Buxenbaum, Reflections, Oil on linen, 48 x 36 in.

Nina Buxenbaum, Vestigial, 2015, Oil on linen, 36 x 48 in.

Larry Cook, All American, 2012 Archival ink jet print, 50 x 120 in.

Larry Cook, Some of My Best Friends are Black, 2014, Neon 6 x 131 in.

Arvie Smith,
Mr. Kicks, 2013,
Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in.

Arvie Smith, Tight Rope 2014, Oil on canvas 40 x 30 in.

Arvie Smith, Senegalese Tirailleurs, 2015, Oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.

Arvie Smith, Nigger Hair, 2007, Oil on canvas 24 x 24 in.

Arvie Smith, Sweet Stuff, 2005, Oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.

About the Exhibition

The Image of the Black: Reimagined and Redefined black identity is reaffirmed through the black gaze. Artists draw from the familiar and the imagined to reinscribe the notion of blackness within the context of self.

Their imagery deconstructs the white representation of race and racism, and shifts the visual paradigm to the interpretation of the black experience by blacks.

Visual tropes defy the sociohistorical construct of the “other” as inculcated through the white gaze that stereotypically degrades and dehumanizes blacks; and offers instead, an exploration of black body politics through figurative and conceptual works that challenge stereotypes, honor the black family, and as in the words of Arvie Smith, “pays homage to the dispossessed and marginalized members of our society.”