A critical anthology on the mediation of Blackness through pivotal
historical art exhibitions
The 13th volume of Afterall Books' Exhibition Histories series
explores Black identity through key historical moments that have created
ruptures in the framing of Blackness, emphasizing how Black artists have
been viewed and African diasporic art histories have been formed.
Through a selection of landmark examples, from the Metropolitan Museum
of Art's 1969 Harlem on My Mind to the Whitney's 1971 Contemporary
Black Artists in America to LACMA's 1976 Two Centuries of Black
American Art, Reshaping the Field examines pioneering exhibitions
that have shaped the domain of Black art. Also including reflections on
the curatorial practices of--and important works held by--renowned art
galleries affiliated with historically Black colleges and universities
such as Howard University and Fisk University, this critical anthology
explores the commodification of Black bodies and embarks on a discussion
of Black futurity in the contemporary art world. With contributions by
artists, art historians and curators, this volume demonstrates that the
question of Black identity in art and exhibition-making is historically
and systemically produced.
Contributors include: Nana Adusei-Poku, Mora J. Beauchamp-Byrd,
Bridget Cooks, Abby Eron, Amber Esseiva, Cheryl Finley, Languid Hands
(Imani Robinson and Rabz Lansiquot), Julie McGee, Kobena Mercer, Derek
Conrad Murray, Serubiri Moses, Senam Okudzeto, Monique Renee Scott,
Jamaal B. Sheats, Richard J. Powell, Howard Michael Singerman, Marlene
Smith, Lucy Steeds and Brittany Webb.
