Jacob Lawrence, Street to Mbari, 1964, tempera over graphite on wove paper - National Gallery of Art
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.“ — Maya Angelou
In honor of Black History Month, The Torrance Art Museum offers a special edition of “Please Don’t Touch the Art!” - providing links to resources worth exploration.
LISTEN:
Time Decorated: The Musical Influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat
The Broad Museum presents this three part series on youtube about the music that inspired the iconic New York Artist.
Part 1: https://youtu.be/TBG5571XUBE
Part 2: https://youtu.be/H7f5ZaiUZgo
Part 3: https://youtu.be/ST6Cp3S5uLs
VIEW:
`STAY REAL BLACK FOR ME'
Madlozi Art Gallery celebrates the diverse expression of blackness within the African diaspora with this powerful and thoughtfully curated group show, available online through February 28th.
https://www.artsy.net/show/madlozi-art-gallery-stay-real-black-for-me?sort=partner_show_position
The National Gallery of Art
The influential Washington D.C. museum, shines a spotlight on African American Artists in the Collection.
WATCH:
Black Art: In the Absence of Light
Released in early February, the documentary examines the historical and socio-political factors that have shaped contemporary African American Art. Available on your local HBO channel or streaming on the HBO MAX app. https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/black-art-in-the-absence-of-light
L.A. Rebellion
UCLA opens its film vault to trace the cinematic origins of the group of African and African-American filmmakers that studied at UCLA during the late 1960s to the 1980s.
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” — Langston Hughes
Read:
Langston Hughes, Kevin Young and African American Poetry
For those with a Los Angeles Public Library Card, the library celebrates not only Black History Month but Langston Hughes’ birthday on the first of February, with a database of his poetry, plays, novels, and non-fiction.
Poetry Foundation
The Foundation presents a collection of poems, articles, and podcasts by celebrated thinkers, writers, and creatives to explore African American history and culture. Including work by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and June Jordan amongst others.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/collections/101640/celebrating-black-history-month
Look Forward To:
Amy Sherald:The Great American Fact
Michelle Obama’s portraitist will have her first west coast show at Hauser & Wirth’s Los Angeles location. It will run March 20th to June 6th, most likely by appointment so as to follow covid guidelines.
https://www.hauserwirth.com/hauser-wirth-exhibitions/30731-amy-sherald-the-great-american-fact
Sanford Biggers: Codeswitch
The California African American Museum presents the first full survey of Biggers’ textile work. Scheduled for Spring 2021, check the museum’s website for updates.
https://caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2021/sanford-biggers-codeswitch
““I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.”
This edition of Please Don’t Touch the Art was curated by Hope Ezcurra, TAM Registrar