BLACK MATTER[S]: Demystifying Black Materiality in the Arts

BLACK MATTER(S)

Now On Display: January 31 - April 18

Black Matter(s): Demystifying Black Materiality in the Arts is a new exhibition at The Medium that examines the historical invisibility of Black material culture in the arts, highlighting its power as a vessel for memory, identity, and self-expression.

Centering Southern Black artists working with wood, fiber, clay, fabric, and found objects, the exhibition explores how material choices carry cultural memory and narrative agency. Open to all, Black Matter(s) invites deeper reflection on Black life, identity, and culture encouraging viewers to find resonance and connection through the materials presented.

Curated by Michelle Kamanga, recipient of the Creative Exchange Fund.

On View: January 31 – April 18

Reception & Performance with artist Cory Perry, February 26 | 6–8 PM

KAMANGA IS PRODUCING AN EXHIBITION TITLED BLACK MATTER(S): DEMYSTIFYING BLACK MATERIALITY IN THE ARTS, WHICH WILL EXPLORE THE INVISIBILITY OF BLACK MATERIALITY AND MATERIAL CULTURE IN THE ARTS.

BLACK MATERIALITY AND MATERIAL CULTURE HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM MAINSTREAM DISCOURSE, DESPITE ITS IMPORTANCE AS A REPOSITORY FOR MEMORY, IDENTITY, AND SELF-EXPRESSION. IN TODAY’S TENSE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CLIMATE, HAVING A PLATFORM FOR CONVERSATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IS IMPORTANT. EVEN THOUGH CERTAIN MATERIALS HOLD SPECIFIC CULTURAL WEIGHT, MANY OTHER GROUPS CAN HAVE FAMILIARITIES WITH THE MATERIALS EXPLORED. THROUGH THIS COMMON GROUND, VIEWERS CAN CONNECT AND ENGAGE ON A DEEPER LEVEL WITH NOT JUST THE WORK EXHIBITED, BUT THE CULTURE, IDENTITIES, AND LIVED EXPERIENCES REPRESENTED.

THE EXHIBITION WILL EXAMINE HOW…

• OBJECTS HOLD MEMORY AND STORIES INSIDE THEM.
• WORKING WITH MATERIALS IS ALSO ABOUT THE PROCESS AND NOT JUST THE FINISHED PRODUCT.
• ARTISTS FIND CONNECTIONS TO THEIR DEEPER ROOTS WHILE ENGAGING IN ART MAKING.
• WE SHOULD THINK OF ART AS “PRACTICE” INSTEAD OF ART AS OBJECT.

THE MATERIALS WE WILL EXPLORE ARE:

• FOUND OBJECTS (BLACK SOUTHERN MOTIFS, DAILY LIFE WHILE BEING BLACK, HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS)
• FIBER (HAIR BRAIDING MADE FROM CHUNKY YARN/OTHER MATERIALS, CONNECTION TO SISTERHOOD, BLACK HAIR, SHARED HAIR EXPERIENCE)
• WOOD (FAMILY TIES, MEMORY, TRANSFORMATION OF DISCARDED MATERIALS)
• CLAY (AFRICAN ROOTS, CONNECTION TO SPIRITUAL ANCESTORS, HEALING)
• FABRIC (CERTAIN GARMENTS CONVEY CERTAIN ASPECTS OF IDENTITY; SPARKLING/SHIMMERING CONVEY QUEERNESS)”