MICKALENE THOMAS – BETTER NIGHTS

Posted on 2020-06-01

Inspired by the local New Jersey play ‘Put a Little Sugar in my Bowl’ organized and performed by the artists’ mother, friends, and family as well as the parties hosted by the artist’s mother in the late 1970s, Mickalene Thomas: Better Nights is an installation that will transform the galleries into an immersive art experience for the duration of the exhibition.

The installation embodies an apartment environment, conceptually reconstructed according to the domestic aesthetic of the period, including faux wood paneling, wallpaper and custom seating reupholstered with the artist’s signature textiles. An extension of Thomas’ artistic universe, the installation incorporates both work by the artist and a curated selection by Thomas featuring work by emerging and prominent artists of color, with the prop-like tableau echoing the collage-like compositional style of Thomas’ paintings.

Exhibition runs through to September 27th, 2020

The Bass Museum Of Art
2100 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach
FL 33139

thebass.org

  

RANIA MATAR – SHE

Posted on 2020-06-01

In the artist’s words, “This project organically evolved, as I gradually found that the photographic process was becoming more collaborative and performance driven, and that the women I was working with more involved in the creative process. Instead of just being present in, and blending into, their environment, they were owning it, presiding over it, and making it their own. I found myself focusing on their strength and their majestic presence instead of their vulnerability. They climbed on rocks and trees, jumped in dirty water, crawled under thorns, trespassed into abandoned buildings. The work became about risk-taking, collaboration, experimentation, performance, empowerment, and about pushing the limits of creativity and self-expression. I am thankful to and in awe of these fierce and inspiring women who were willing to get out of their comfort zone.”

Opposite – Rayven, Miami Beach Florida, 2019

Exhibition runs through to July 3rd, 2020

Richard Levy Gallery
514 Central Ave. SW
Albuquerque
NM 87102

levygallery.com