This February marks the 47th annual Black History Month, a celebration of the achievements and advancements of Black Americans who have contributed to the history of the United States. We are excited to honor Black History Month by providing an online invitational exhibition “The Sustaining Presence: Stalwarts of African American Contemporary Clay”, Guest Curated by Syd Carpenter. This exhibition celebrates Black ceramic artists from across the US, throughout February, with two of the works in the exhibition by Sana Musasama available to view in person in our gallery from February 1st to March 1st, 2023.
Guest Curator Syd Carpenter States: "The African diaspora has influenced globally diverse expressions in music, dance, theatre, literature and the visual arts for more than a century. From the majestic and poetic works of Dave Drake in the 19th century to celebrated works of Simone Leigh in the 21st, Black clay artists have been a consistent community of innovative clay productivity. From pure abstraction to explicit representations of the experience of being Black in America, the presence of Black artists is here represented by notable stalwarts who have continued to creatively enhance the field. Many beginning their careers in the late 60’s and early 70’s, their work reflects the ongoing vibrancy, technical brilliance and creative insight of this group of artists."
Participating Artists include: Earline Green, Winnie Owens-Hart, Malcolm Mobutu Smith, Sana Musasama, Bobby Scroggins, and Lydia Thompson
Watch A Virtual Artist Talk "In Conversation - The Sustaining Presence" (Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at 7pm EST). Moderated by Syd Carpenter, with guest participating artists from the exhibition.
All of the works available both online and in the gallery are available for purchase directly through our website, or by contacting the gallery.
Guest Curator Syd Carpenter lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, James A Michener Museum, Tang Museum of Skidmore College, and Fuller Craft Museum. She is a Professor of Studio Art, at Swarthmore College, PA.
