30 Americans

One of our Father's Day activities will always remain extra special to me as my Father, brother Marc and I visited the last day of the Arkansas Arts Center's exhibit 30 Americans by "many of the most important African American artists of the last four decades featuring works by such early and influential artists as Barkley L. Hendricks, Robert Colescott and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and those of younger and emerging artists, like Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu, and Shinique Smith. Often provocative and challenging, 30 Americans explores what it means to be a contemporary artist and an African American today and gives insight to the viewer of both their cultural identity and artistic legacy. "

Courtesy of the AAC's web page

This 41- piece exhibit of "paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, digital videos and photographs is a part of the Mera and Don Rubell Collections, one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in the world, currently being housed in a 45,000 square foot former DEA warehouse-turned-museum in Miami, Florida." 

Our docent had us study an art piece first, reflect and share our interpretations with our group. It was powerful indeed as we explored together issues of race, gender sexuality, politics and history. 

We were allowed to take photos without flash and I'm so glad to be able to share some of these with you. You can perhaps imagine our discussions.

 If 30 Americans comes your way, you definitely need to go...

Take a listen to Hanging Fruit: Billie Holiday's song depicted in the metal sculpture of a silver teapot encapsulated by tree branches.