UTA Artist Space Investigates Black Artists' Narratives in "Renaissance: Noir"
A virtual exhibition featuring works by 12 emerging Black artists.
California-based gallery UTA Artist Space is currently hosting a virtual exhibition entitled “Renaissance: Noir” that features the works of 12 emerging Black artists. Curated by Myrtis Bedolla, Baltimore-based owner of Galerie Myrtis, the digitally-displayed artworks touch on various aspects of “Blackness.” The online presentation arrives at a time where there is heightened awareness of the longstanding racism and police brutality against Black people in America with Black Lives Matter protests occurring across the globe.
The artists spotlighted in the exhibition include Tawny Chatmon, Wesley Clark, Alfred Conteh, Larry Cook, Morel Doucet, Monica Ikegwu, Ronald Jackson, M. Scott Johnson, Delita Martin, Arvie Smith, Nelson Stevens, and Felandus Thames. “ Their work collectively captures the existence of “double consciousness,” as coined by W.E.B. DuBois, where one is constantly combating the ‘isms’ —racism, colorism, sexism, capitalism, colonialism, escapism, and criticism through the act of artistic activism,” expressed the gallery in a statement.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of works in the exhibition will benefit Artist Relief — an emergency initiative launched this year by a group of national arts grantmakers to provide financial and informational resources to artists across the United States in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are honored to showcase works from Galerie Myrtis, one of the world’s leading Black-owned galleries, especially at such a critical moment in our nation’s history,” said Arthur Lewis, Creative Director of UTA Fine Arts and UTA Artist Space. “It is thanks to Myrtis Bedolla that I first saw the work of Amy Sherald and Jamia Richmond Edwards. She is a true visionary who continues to give broader visibility to the narrative of Blackness.”
View select artworks in the slideshow above and then visit UTA Artist Space’s website to learn more.
Elsewhere in art, Photo Basel just launched its first ever virtual edition.
