Curator's Statement: Makeba Kedem-DuBose
"The exhibition 'Migrations In Black And White | 2.0' explores the theme of freedom, tracing its evolution from 2020 onwards. Through various artistic expressions, it tackles urgent global issues such as the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, the Me Too movement, challenges to abortion rights and female body autonomy, Black Lives Matter, worldwide protests against police brutality and racism, the removal of Confederate statues, migration crises, censorship through book bans, food insecurity, climate change, and the political landscape including an attack on the United States capitol, plus past and upcoming U.S. elections. Additionally, the exhibition encourages reflection on the dichotomy of seeing things in stark black and white, advocating for a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the complexities of our shared reality, where a balanced gray might be a more useful benefit to all concerned.
Summary: Migrations in Black and White | 2.0
The art exhibition titled "Migrations in Black and White | 2.0" is a bold showcase of black and white artworks, exclusively. With a thematic focus on the essence of freedom, it reflects on recent global events while projecting forward into the future. This exhibition stands out for its unique approach to color theory, allowing artists to use only black and white, defined in color theory as shade and tint, rather than colors. Globally and symbolically, black and white carry implications connected to culture, religion, race, life and death, and myriad other concepts.
Encouraging experimentation through sculptural design elements and the use of texture, the exhibition aims to create a distinctive and compelling experience. The title "Migrations in Black and White" reflects the striking graphic appearance of the works, limited to black and white. While artists have creative freedom in addressing disciplines, styles, subjects, and media, they must strictly use pure black and white, with no gray tones or mixing allowed. The only exception is for photo-based works, where photographers are expected to express the strongest possible contrast.
This exhibition represents an innovative and daring rethinking of the inaugural iteration, "Migrations in Black and White," which drew inspiration from the Great Migration, also spoke of freedom, and specifically spoke to the lack of visibility South side Chicago-based Black artists have in the northern stretch of the city. The curator, Makeba Kedem-DuBose, received both the curatorial and best artist awards for the first exhibition, selected by the City of Chicago as a featured program for Chicago Artist Month 2015. Originally intended to travel to various locations to expand its reach and impact, the exhibition garnered attention from multiple publications, including DNA Info Chicago, which featured an article by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, who now serves as a juror for the 2.0 edition. The feature played a crucial role in enhancing the show’s visibility and engagement, promoting its message to a broader audience, thus generating greater awareness.
Considering the global response to recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts, alongside the aftermath of tragedies like the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and freedoms lost by all, the curator deemed it critical to consider all artists, but with a particular emphasis on BIPOC and women artists, who often face greater restrictions in the arts. "Migrations in Black and White | 2.0" aims to transcend past limitations by showcasing a diverse range of artists and perspectives. This exhibition offers a unique exploration of black and white as an artistic medium and prompts reflection on the artist's role in shaping the world, devoid of color.
- Featured Guest Artists - Cheryl R. Riley (New Jersey) and Tracie D. Hall (Chicago)
Confirmed Jurors Include:
- - Curator, Makeba Kedem-DuBose
- - Lead Juror, Patricia Andrews-Keenan, CEO/Founder, Pigment Magazine
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- Ana Croegaert, Anthropologist, Independent Curator, and Research Associate with the Field Museum
- - Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, Award-winning author, journalist (arts, entertainment, travel)
- - Indira Freitas Johnson, Award-winning sculptor, curator, and peace advocate
• Important Dates:
• Exhibition Dates: August 11 to September 8, 2024
• Location: Main Gallery, Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
• Press Submission Deadline: June 16, 2024, by midnight
• Final Submission Deadline: June 23, 2024, by midnight
• Opening Reception: August 11, 2024, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Closing Reception: September 8, 2024, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• Special Programs: To be announced (artist talk, performances, speakers)
• Art Drop-off: August 2024, dates to be announced
• Art Pickup: September 2024, dates to be announced
GALLERY HOURS & VISITOR INFORMATION
This exhibition will be held in the First Floor Gallery of the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Masks are optional but strongly recommended for students, visitors, and staff.
Gallery Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm
Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday–Sunday: 9am–4pm
HOW TO PURCHASE ARTWORK
Artwork sale proceeds benefit both the artist and the Evanston Art Center. If you are interested in purchasing artwork on display, please contact Emma Rose Gudewicz, Director of Development and Exhibition Manager, at [email protected] or (847) 475-5300 x 102.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.