Ice Box Project Space
Crane Arts
www.cranearts.com
1400 N. American St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
January 10, 2008 – February 10, 2008
Reception and Curator/Artist Talk:
Friday, February 1, 2008
Curators:
Sophie Sanders, PhD candidate, Art History Department, Tyler School of Art, Temple University; MA, Slade School of Art, University College London
Shervone Neckles, MA Art Education, Teacher’s College, Columbia University. MFA, Queens College.
From Taboo to Icon: Africanist Turnabout is a part of African Impressions / Contemporary Art, a series of symposia and events that explore modern and contemporary art from the perspective of African influences and voices. This exhibition presents artwork in all media that explores the concept of Africanist aesthetics and the taboo or iconic aspect of these influences in contemporary western culture. Contemporary artists from diverse origins respond to the impact, both censoring and celebratory, of Black and African Diaspora cultural aesthetics, which have been considered taboo in some historical contexts and iconic in others. These artists also re-investigate the omissions in history and contemporary American culture by questioning appropriation and what is visible and invisible in popular culture and fine art.
From Taboo to Icon: Africanist Turnabout will transform the Ice Box gallery into what Philosopher bell hooks terms as a “Learning Community,” which invites the public to become active participants in action and reflection. The exhibition’s viewers will be asked to think about how all forms of visual representation have the ability to become iconic when they achieve prominence and familiarity through frequent repetition. Some works deal with preserving relics, memories, history, and tradition which are often associated with the sacred and venerated, while others connect with the ancestral heritage of the African Diaspora and honor the individuals who are often less visible in fine art contexts. A number of works in the show will also challenge or complicate the very notion of traditional African aesthetics in a changing global context.
Participating Artists:
Sophia Ainslie
Ruby Amanze
Terry Boddie
Kimberly Camp
Syd Carpenter
Colin Chase
Sonya Clark
Sahar Coston
Jamal Cyrus
John Dowell
Maya Freelon Asante
Earl Fyffe
Lonnie Graham
Theodore Harris
Lucy Lau
Franky Laude
Betty Leecraft
Simone Leigh
Ghariokwu Lemi
Heather Marie Davis
Ayanah Moor
Keith Morrison
Karyn Olivier
José Ortiz
Pepon Osorio
Nadine Patterson
Debra Priestly
Roy Reid
Juana Valdez
Deborah Willis
Hank Willis Thomas
Emna Zghal
Major funding for the symposium provided by the Provost’s Commission for the Arts / Office of the Provost. Other funding provided by the General Activity Fee and the Art History Department, Tyler School of Art. Additional support donated by Exhibitions and Public Programs of Tyler School of Art, the Graduate Art History Organization, and The Joan Mitchell Foundation. Special thanks to all individuals who made this possible.
