Ashley Waithe

The Art of Celebration: Black Culture and Creativity

“True love does have the power to redeem but only if we are ready for redemption. Love saves us only if we want to be saved.” - Bell Hooks (All About Love: New Visions, 1999).   The Art of Celebration: Black Culture and Creativity explores the work of eight talented black-identifying artists. Through their vastly different works of art ranging from paint to mixed media to video, each artist explores what it means to be black and live in their joy, love, and culture. At a time so prevalently divided, to lead with love is a radical act. This exhibition focuses on these radical acts of celebration in life and how the focus on this love builds a stronger, more powerful community. What does it mean to be saved by this love and this joy? To be saved is to be saved by our community and to heal together from the world around us. But as the astounding Bell Hooks says, “Love saves us only if we want to be saved.”   ArtistsAdams Amaning, Àbiké The Artist, Wuliyah Hankey, Pixel Heller, Jade Kent-Brewster, Queen Kukoyi, Ehiko OdehCurated by Ashley Waithe and Pixel Heller