America’s history of depicting Black visual images has often demonized and characterized African-Americans in dehumanizing ways. For centuries, Black artists, scholars and activists have worked tirelessly to counter negative images and narratives as they envision themselves. The exhibition “Black American Portraits” highlights and restores the dignity and humanity of Black images spanning over two centuries, from the 1800s to the present. The mediums range from painting, to drawing, to photography, mixed media and more.
The show, opening at Spelman College on Feb. 8, is co-curated by Liz Andrews, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art Executive Director, and Christine Y. Kim, the Tate’s Britton Family Curator-at-Large. Liz Andrews joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to share how the exhibition participates in a changing discourse around Black self-representation in visual art.
Interview highlights:
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