ESSAY 03/13

 

MAGICAL ART

Kimberly Drew’s “This Is What I Know About Art” and Dr. Maura Reilly’s essay “Towards Curatorial Activism” are two important pieces of literature that give a great insight into how art and activism intersect, touching on some of the same themes as what we have been working on. These sources show how writers, historians, or curators can use their voices to bring about changes in the art industry that are aimed at fighting racism and other forms of systemic discrimination.

Drew tells her own story about growing up black in an art scene dominated by white artists and elitism. In the text it states, “If you wanted to be in a classroom with other students of color, then you should not have enrolled in art history classes.” (Drew 27).In this work, she draws from personal experiences which she uses as examples to explain the meaning of representation and inclusion within the context of arts. The chapter resonates well with our conversations on power relations and discriminations inherent in fine arts; it forces one to question his/her part especially in breaking such patterns.

Reilly, in the same vein, argues in her essay for curatorial activism as a way of addressing systemic injustices within museums and galleries. She urges curators to be actively involved in gender, race and class issues while creating an exhibition advocating for more representation and inclusivity in museum exhibitions and collections. For example in the text it states, “What’s even more disturbing is that these mainstream master narratives of art, in which large constituencies of people are ghettoised and excluded from the big-white-boy narrative, are presented as natural, as common sense, and these discriminatory practices are rarely challenged.” (Dr Maura Reilly, 12). This resonates with our exploration into art activism as a social change tool that stresses how transformative curatorship can be used to question hegemonic discourses and amplify marginalized voices.

Writers, scholars, and curators are able to act as activists through their platforms that challenge established structures of power to advocate for social justice. For instance, the Guerrilla Girls use guerrilla methods of exposing gender and racial inequalities within this field which is evident on how artists and activists could work together towards producing meaningful changes. Similarly, the Decolonize This Place movement aimed at decolonizing museums and cultural institutions represents collective action against colonial legacies by ushering equity among other things in the art world.

There are some moments in Drew’s book that are pivotal and meaningful. One of these is when she recalls her time interning at The Studio Museum in Harlem, something that exposed her to a diverse body of Black art and culture. This experience spurred Drew on into activism by showing her the importance of seeing herself represented and questioning what is accepted as true in the art world. When she said “Art is a pathway to understanding ourselves and our world.” (Drew 27) This was one of the most significant statements made by Drew. As such, this quote emphasizes how art is transformative that creates empathy, understanding, and social change. 

The memoirs of Drew and Reilly's essay provide great insights about activism and social change through art. Writing from margins, challenging dominant narratives and demanding inclusivity as well as equity among authors, historians or curators is a way they contribute to ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable art world. Moreover their dedication to advocacy work has an ability to influence how we see our society even if it means redefining the existing templates we have about the arts sectors being inclusive empowering spaces for all people.

Part 2 

Ben Jones painted a vibrant mixed media work called “African Panorama.” This artwork depicts a vast landscape of the African continent, which has been drawn using bold colors and dynamic brushwork. The painting is full of iconic landmarks, different people and busy cities that represent the richness and diversity of Africa’s culture and heritage. It features a composition that is infused with symbolisms and pictures inviting readers to delve into multifaceted African tales.

Though devoid of activist images or messages directly, Ben Jones's “African Panorama” can be considered an activist statement by its celebration as well as representation of African identity and heritage. Jones’ painting serves as a counter narrative in a world where Africa is often depicted through shallow stereotypes and biased accounts hence challenging misconceptions about the continent. Appreciating the beauty of Africa’s complexity, the work stands for multiculturalism, solidarity and appreciation thereby supporting cultural activism principles.

A powerful mixed media artwork by Ben Jones called “Huey Newton Incarcerated” could show the imprisoned Huey P. Newton, the leader of Black Panther Party. In this piece of art, there might be a depiction of Newton being held in jail and surrounded by symbols of resistance and struggle. This may involve Jones’ use of bright colors as well as his dynamic style, which depict the tension and defiance that characterized the civil rights era.

By highlighting such a work of art as an activist statement it will help to raise awareness on systemic injustices faced by black activists like Huey Newton or larger matters relating to racial inequality and mass incarceration. By contextualizing Newton’s imprisonment within his activism, viewers may then consider an ongoing fight for racial justice and reforming the criminal justice system. As Jones represents Newton as a representation of resistance and resilience he may therefore encourage them to discuss issues concerning social change through political action or dialogue. 

Work Cited

Drew, Kimberly. This Is What I Know about Art. Penguin Workshop, 2020. 

Jones, Ben. Huey Newton Incarcerated. 1970, Harold B Lemmerman Gallery, Jersey City, NJ.

Jones, Ben. African Panorama, 1976, Harold B Lemmerman Gallery, Jersey City, NJ. 

Reilly, Maura. “What Is Curatorial Activism?” ARTnews.Com, ARTnews.com, 18 Nov. 2019, www.artnews.com/art-news/news/what-is-curatorial-activism-9271/amp/.