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look away look away look away
Dave McClinton (2020)
Continuing on the artistic foundations of The Harlem Renaissance and the collective social unrest of 2020 , The Contemporary Art Modern Project brings forth an exhibition that explores with candor and care the experience of the African American, and the strength that this experience affords him.
As identified by W.E.B. Du Bois, "the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world...an American, a Negro...two thoughts, two unreconcilied strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being town asunder" (The Souls of Black Folk).
With their respective artworks, each featured artists higlights that for the African American, the retelling and remembering of American history is required to understand their identity. Whether this history was lived or learned, the weight of this "second sight" persists through time and space, revealing not just struggle and pain, but beauty and power.
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The work of Harlem born artist Lisa Whittington brings color to the discussion of refuge for the African American. How can one feel safe and thrive on land they are foreign to? In her piece "Another Country," she identifies "how African Americans have been taken from one country and placed in the outskirts, projects, ghettos and margins of America." Artist Keysha Rivera speaks to a similar narrative of displacement in her textile works, which present vignettes of the solitude of an immigrant.
In the same strokes, however, Whittington brings to life the truth that it is in these very "outskirts, projects, ghettos, and margins" where conversations of shared experience, exchange of ideas, and moments of recognition all occur. Solitude is eliminated, and the idea of home and belonging transcends the physical and takes a spiritual form, imbuing itself within culture. Black art, music, literature and converstation, though started by feelings of pain and displacement, weave together a narrative of identity that ties the past to present moments, and leaves space for evolution.
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Milton Bowens' pieces blend together the past and present, offering both awareness and sympathy for the African American's ongoing fight for self identity. He reminds us that in order to not repeat the past, we must not forget it.
In Dave McClinton's digital collage works, comprised of found and photographed objects and mementos, his subjects defiantly stare out at the viewer. They herald a power reminiscent of Frank Horne’s last lines in his poem “Harlem” where the poets insists: “…Say it brother/ Say it” (16-17). McClinton not only keeps the weighted, conflicting history of being an African American at the forefront of his work, but he also brings attention to the power and beauty that is inherently present because of it.
"From innocent to informed. From recklessly defiant to determined...the weight of American History can either crush you or harden you. This work tells the story of love in the face of fear...pride in the face of debasement...ascension in the face of subjugation." - Dave McClinton
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How Can Anyone Deny Themselves the Pleasure of My Company?
"In honor of Zora Neale Hurston, this artwork was created in the sheer joy of being a Black Woman." - Lisa Whittington
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Efey - Idris Habib (2020)
Idris Habib, through his portaits of lived, learned, and unknown experience, presents the viewer with beauty that is often overlooked. Heavily influenced by music and patterns, and using color to express his moods, his contrasting usage of all-black color paint in his figures is used to bring everything else to light, showing the powerful beauty that blackness has.
"Black is beautiful period, and no one can dare to deny or change that fact but us....I just feel it‘s my obligation to show that in my work, and it has been a great pleasure to paint with all-black color paint..." - Idris Habib
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Evita Tezeno highlights a similiar beauty found in blackness, but she anchors it in the loving frame of the black woman. Though weighed down by a history of being overlooked, being on the recieving end of both physical and sexual violence, the black woman inspires. She overcomes her pains, cares for those generations to come, and learns how to love herself and those around her. This can be seen in Evita's "In the Twilight I Will Lead You," where she is highlighting how "too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Laetitia Adam-Rabel takes on this power and softness of the black woman, as she transitions from an odalisque to the modern day woman burning with confidence, assurance, and purpose, becoming the guide for tomorrow.
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We Must Retell & Remember American History
to comprehend how identity is marked and created. -
Art from an Experience Based Identity, live from Dec 18th through to Feb 15th & curated by Melanie Prapopoulos and Brianna Luz Fernandez.
Please click HERE for easy access to the OVR of the exhibition.
