BLACK ART NEAR + FAR

An Unmistakable Softness is a solo exhibition of new paintings by Jamaican visual artist Leasho Johnson. Created during a three-month residency in New Providence, this body of work explores the interplay of Johnson’s formulaic painting techniques and the tropical environment. Grounded in his signature aesthetics and textures, the collection features pieces from his ongoing "Anansi" and portrait series, reflecting the temporal effects of the Bahamian landscape on his artistic process. TERN Gallery, Mahogany Hill, Western Road, Nassau, The Bahamas. Runs from January 23rd to March 8, 2025.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime presents over fifty paintings crafted by one of the most distinguished black artists in the 21st century. In her first solo exhibition with Whitney Museum of Art, Sherald’s paintings–often depicting notable and symbolic African-American figures such as the Obamas and Breonna Taylor–reflects a historically omitted side of black contemporary art, exploring the sublimity in the Black American identity.  Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014. Runs April 9 through August 2025.

"Lineage" is the public exhibition of the well-esteemed Mark Thomas Gibson. Examining the “future of humanity” as proposed by Samuel Jennings’ 1792 painting Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences, Gibson's’ work initiates a conversation amongst viewers–how do we perceive history and what’s beyond those perceptions?  The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Runs from October 15, 2024 to January 17, 2025.

Basquiat × Banksy commemorates the works of two influential figures in contemporary art–the evocative Jean-Michel Basquiat and the elusive Banksy. Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (1982) and Banksy’s Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search (2018) explore street art’s influence on contemporary art. The exhibition also includes 20 small Basquiat works from 1979-1985, showcasing his engagement with art history and iconic motifs. This show is part of Hirshhorn's 50th-anniversary celebration. 

The Mythic Age by Brooklyn-based Naudline Pierre at James Cohan Gallery showcases new paintings and sculptural interventions centered on transformation and evolution. Inspired by Baroque and 19th-century French academic art, Pierre creates ethereal worlds filled with mysterious figures, focusing on personal and radical self-expression. Her technique blends dry brushing with fluid, aqueous strokes to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. 

signifying the impossible song is a group exhibition gathering 17 multi-talented artists of the African Diaspora. Curated by Lindsey Raymond and Jana Terblanche, the show explores themes of material culture, political systems, and collective memory. The exhibition probes the tensions between integration and displacement, while addressing issues like inequality, ecological ruin, and the commodification of identity. 

Promised Land is Lavar Munroe’s tenth solo exhibition with the Larkin Durey Gallery. Munroe’s art, deeply influenced by his travels across Africa, explores storytelling, community, and tradition. His recent works focus on the power of processions and parades, blending sensory elements like music, movement, and cultural materials. Munroe combines diverse materials—glass, feathers, and acrylics—to evoke rich, layered experiences.

An Awkward Relation is the latest exhibition of well-known black British artist, Sonia Boyce.  Drawing inspiration from the late Brazilian artist, Lygia Clark’s exhibitions, Boyce explores cultural signifiers like hair, questioning artistic authorship and identity. Boyce, a prominent figure in the British Black Arts Movement, continues her legacy of social practice, emphasizing collaboration and improvisation.   

The 200th annual Brooklyn Artists Exhibition gathers over 200 of the borough’s most remarkable talents for a celebration of a lifetime. Curated by prominent faces in the art world– Jeffrey Gibson, Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, and Fred Tomaselli–the show underscores Brooklyn's creative spirit and diversity, honoring artists who have lived or worked in the borough from 2019 to 2024, highlighting themes of identity, migration, and community resilience. 

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Somerset House in London. Gathering over 60 international exhibitors from 23 countries and works from more than 160 artists, the fair will feature renowned and emerging talents across various mediums. Special curated events and a rich VIP and Public Programme will accompany the fair, bringing together global perspectives on contemporary African art.

In Jubilant Pastures, Ghanaian-born artist Conrad Egyir presents eleven new bodies of art revolving around themes of identity and belonging. Known for his Pop-Art influences and polychromatic palette, Egyir’s subjects evoke empathy, spirituality, and the tension between past and future, capturing the complex journey of displacement.

Columnar Disorder is Germane Barnes’ first solo exhibition, exploring the intersection of identity and architecture; reimagining the classical orders—the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—through the lens of the African diaspora. His project, centered on the design of three new columns—Identity, Labor, and Migration—examines themes like Black beauty, slavery's economic impact, and the memory of African migrations.

Four Womxn: New Musings on Blackness explores themes of Black identity, womanhood, and personal history through a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography. The exhibition aims to challenge traditional narratives and offer new perspectives on the complexities of Blackness. Each artist brings a unique voice, creating a powerful dialogue about race, gender, and representation.

J. Cunha: Tropical body follows Cunha’s life from his humble beginnings in the cultural hub of Bahia, Salvador to his blossomed career as a visual artist. Divided into a biographical trilogy, the exhibition showcases over 300 bodies of art encapsulating Cunha’s Bahian pride and experimental eye.

Ongoin’ is the latest collection of acclaimed sculptor and New York native, Nari Ward, as well as his second exhibition in Seoul. Featuring an assemblage of copper panel works, Ward draws inspiration from his Harlem background,  reflecting on community healing, spiritual rituals, and social realities. 

"AFTER LIFE" highlights artists who participated in the WOORI festival in Ghana, showcasing indigenous weaving practices. The exhibition responds to the climate crisis in Africa, where artists like Fatric Bewong, Gideon Hanyame, and Frederick Bamfo transform discarded materials into new forms, exploring environmental and social resilience.

WHERE WE COALESCE is a solo exhibition by Ethiopian artist Tadesse Mesfin. Renowned for his signature elongated figures, Mesfin continues his celebration of Ethiopian women’s strength, community, and resilience. His vibrant, color-blocked compositions highlight the elegance and dignity of women in market scenes, capturing both cultural tradition and a contemporary sense of unity. 

Great Rivers Biennial, showcases the works of three emerging St. Louis-based artists: Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, and Ronald Young. This exhibition highlights diverse artistic practices, from mixed media installations to immersive environments, exploring themes of identity, community, and cultural history. 

The Length of The Horizon, her first major exhibition in Scandinavia, Kapwani Kiwanga examines power dynamics and social mechanisms through large-scale installations of plants, color, and light. The artworks use botanical elements and architectural designs to unveil historical narratives and the subtle influences of disciplinary spaces, creating an immersive experience that transcends aesthetic beauty to delve into sociopolitical issues. 

A Requiem For Humanity, curated by Tania Safura Adam, explores the historical and ongoing dehumanization of Black individuals and the potential for rehumanization through speculative and utopian narratives. Featuring works by artists such as The Otolith Group, W.E.B. Du Bois, Alice Coltrane, and others, the exhibition critiques the Western symbolic order that has historically marginalized Black people.

Rotimi Fani-Kayode celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most influential Nigerian photographers in the 20th century. The exhibition will unveil new photographs from Kayode’s short, but esteemed career, exploring themes of black queer self-expression and the performative aspects of identity. Autograph, Rivington Place, London. 

Deadweight, by London-based sculptor, Dominique White, is a dream manifested into reality. As the seventh winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, White explores themes of migration and identity through sculptures and ceramics influenced by seafaring mythologies. The installation reflects on the Atlantic's complex history, blending elements of loss, transformation, and Black diasporic narratives.

SUMMER SUMMER showcases the vibrant and dynamic works of Leonardo Benzant, Ronald Cyrille, and Steven Schmid, exploring abstract figuration within Caribbean art. Through their distinctive styles, the artists capture the interplay between the familiar and the fantastical, inviting viewers to experience the richness and diversity of their cultural narratives.

"INTLOMBE", is a solo exhibition by Simphiwe Mbunyuza, featuring new ceramic sculptures that honor the rituals and landscapes of the Xhosa people from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Drawing inspiration from traditional ceremonies and regional iconography, Mbunyuza's richly decorated sculptures and vessels utilize color, texture, and form to create a profound connection between cultural heritage and contemporary artistry. 

Projects: Tadáskía%2C%20into%20MoMA%27s%20collection.), features works by Brazilian multidisciplinary artist Tadáskía, in her debut presentation in the United States. The exhibition includes ave preta mística mystical black bird (2022), a newly acquired work on paper, alongside a monumental wall drawing and site-specific sculptures. Organized in collaboration with the Studio Museum in Harlem, this exhibition marks Tadáskía's first solo presentation in the United States and explores themes of transformation and joy influenced by her experiences as a Black trans woman

"Taking Back Power", deconstructs the history of one of the most valuable commodities in American chattel slavery–cotton. In a series of black-and-white photographs, C. Rose Smith takes every detail into account–from cotton dress shirts, antebellum homes and haunting aesthetics of old Southern wealth–to reflect on the harrowing legacy behind those steel gates and honor the lives taken all for commodity.

"WE ARE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS", is the latest collection by Nigerian-British painter Joy Labinjo in commemoration of Southwark Park Galleries’ 40th anniversary. The collection draws influences from Labinjo’s daily life, from visits to the park and precious memories from family events, as well as combining the fruitful sentiments of community through the lenses of blackness, power and cultural identity.

Away with the Tides, showcases only the best of Calida Rawles’ exemplary works. Known for her hyperrealistic art style, consolidated with cultural iconography of water, Rawles’ work is a love letter to the residents of the Historic Overtown–a predominantly black community in South Florida with a remarkable history and cultural magnitude.

"Wish This Was Real", Tyler Mitchell’s first solo exhibition in Germany showcases a decades worth of the esteemed American photographer’s fantastical work. Inspired by Antwaun Sargent’s iconic exhibition The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion, Mitchell’s photo explores the simplicity of everyday life through an extramundane lens.

Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice, explores the powerful legacy of William H. Johnson (1901–1970) in the landmark exhibition "Fighters for Freedom," showcasing his tribute to African American activists, scientists, and international leaders. For the first time since 1946, 34 paintings from his iconic series are brought together, shedding light on Johnson's remarkable life and the contributions of historical figures he depicted. Drawn primarily from SAAM's extensive collection, this exhibition highlights Johnson's vibrant narratives and ongoing struggle for freedom, offering insight into the interconnectedness of triumph and tragedy in the pursuit of equality.

Entryways: Nontsikelelo Mutiti, is a captivating exhibition hosted by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. Through the lens of artist Nontsikelelo Mutiti, viewers are invited to explore themes of migration, displacement, and cultural identity. Mutiti's multidisciplinary approach, incorporating photography, printmaking, and installation, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex intersections between personal history and collective experience.

Silene Capensis, explores the Oakland-based artist Corinne Smith's connection to ancestral lineage through dream re-entry and intuitive plant medicine using Silene Capensis root. Smith's work includes paintings, illustrations, risographs, and animations, revealing mythologies and spiritual realms. This exhibition is part of MoAD’s 2024-25 Emerging Artists Program, which showcases local artists reflecting the cultural richness of the African diaspora. 

​

Things I Knew When I Was Young, contemplates Sudanese visual artist Amna Elhassan’s childhood memories and dreams in a collection of vivid paintings, saturated with bursts of earthy and cool hues. Elhassan’s work in this latest exhibition reminisces on the mundane, loving her inner child and capturing the essences of youth and innocence during times of despair.

"Finding Soft Ground" by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh at Art + Practice explores safety for Black women through diverse mediums, while "Speaking To Falling Seeds" at the California African American Museum examines similar themes in monumental portraits pasted onto the atrium walls, both inspired by conversations and photographs from Fazlalizadeh's time in Los Angeles.

The Narratives of Black Hair, explores the rich cultural heritage and powerful stories behind Black hair and features artists like Nakeya Brown, Shani Crowe, and J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere. The exhibition delves into historical and contemporary perspectives on Black hair, from precolonial traditions to modern movements like “Black is Beautiful '' and Nappy. The exhibition celebrates the resilience and creativity embodied in Black hairstyles, highlighting their significance in identity, community, and cultural pride. Don’t miss this compelling exploration of history, art, and empowerment.

Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories delves into the cultural significance of hair through art, artifacts, and contemporary pieces. This exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art examines how hair shapes identity, social status, and self-expression. Featuring diverse media such as zines films and public discussion9, it connects historical practices to modern perspectives, highlighting hair’s role in societal norms and personal narratives.

Leonardo Drew: Ubiquity explores the artist's contemplative abstract sculptures that balance order and chaos using materials like wood, glass, plaster, and cotton. This exhibition, Drew's second at Galerie Lelong, Paris, features a site-responsive installation and a series of core works reflecting the gallery's historic 18th-century environment. Drew's art continually adapts to its surroundings, embodying themes of life, decay, and nature's renewal through transformation and reinvention.

Resurgent is Kermit Miller’s solo debut at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, capturing the dynamic spirit of Junkanoo and Bahamian life. Featuring works like Junkanoo Roar (2023), Miller depicts the ecstatic energy of parade participants, inspired by master artist Brent Malone. This exhibition marks Miller’s return to art after a 22-year hiatus following the passing of his daughter, Ebony Miller. His renewed focus on technique and emotion reflects a poignant journey of artistic rebirth. The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, West and West Hill Streets, Nassau, Bahamas. Runs through July 28, 2024.

Paula Wilson: Toward the Sky's Back Door, is a captivating exhibition showcasing nearly two decades of her boundary-breaking work. From paintings to sculptures, Wilson's pieces weave together global narratives, challenging conventional distinctions between art and everyday life. This retrospective offers a profound journey into Wilson's exploration of identity, nature, and technology. 

​

​

"The Long Run", Clotilde Jiménez’s second solo exhibition at Mariane Ibrahim's Parisian space delves into themes of movement, identity, and community. The exhibition challenges traditional narratives of competition, emphasizing solidarity and shared experiences through collage. Inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympics, Jiménez's work reflects on the communal aspects of sports and the broader societal connections they foster. 

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, showcases the vibrant cultural exchange between Harlem and Europe during the early 20th century. Featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, and multimedia installations, the exhibition highlights the artistic achievements of Black artists such as Aaron Douglas, Augusta Savage, and Jacob Lawrence, alongside their European counterparts. Through a diverse range of artworks, the exhibition explores the intersecting themes of identity, migration, and artistic innovation that defined this transformative period in history. Met Museum, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028. Runs through July 28th, 2024.

Seekers, Seers, Soothsayers features seven artists—Gladys Kalichini, Latedjou, Sekai Machache, Nyancho NwaNri, Pamina Sebastião, Buhlebezwe Siwani, and Helena Uambembe—whose lens-based works explore connections to the nonphysical world. Using film, installation, performance, sound, and narration, the artists depict how ritual and remembrance offer connectedness and alternative self-perception. The exhibition reflects on how historical narratives are passed through generations and highlights spiritual and supernatural dimensions in art. 

​

Baltimore-based artist LaToya Hobbs unveils a series of life-size woodcuts capturing a single day in her bustling world alongside her husband and children. Probing the intricacies of balancing roles as a wife, mother, educator, and artist, Hobbs intricately weaves personal narratives with references to influential artists. This inaugural presentation at Harvard Art Museums offers a rare glimpse into Hobbs's creative process, featuring preparatory drawings and shedding light on her acclaimed career trajectory.  

​

​

"Leilah Babirye: We Have History", her first solo exhibition, powerfully reclaims identity and community through emotive sculptures deeply rooted in African cultural traditions crafted from ceramic, wood, and discarded objects, Exhibited alongside historical masterpieces, Babirye's sculptures present poignant portraits of her LGBTQ+ community, shedding light on enduring connections between past and present. Museum Contemporary African Art, . 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118. Runs from June 22, 2024 to June 22, 2025.

"Mickalene Thomas: All About Love" showcases over 80 pieces by the legendary artist, delving into themes of love, identity, and empowerment through her vibrant mixed-media paintings, collages, and photography, offering a profound exploration of the human experience. 

​

​

Artist Kerry James Marshall designed "The Now and Forever Windows" stained-glass windows showing Black Americans holding protest signs bearing the words “Fairness” and “No foul play”, replacing stained-glass windows honoring Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson after a gunman shot and killed nine Black worshippers in Emanuel AME Church (“Mother Emanuel '') in Charleston, SC in 2015. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Permanent installation. 

​

Anthony Bogues, Asa Messer Professor of Africana Studies and African and African Diasporic Art, at Brown University, explores how Black lives are represented today through the art and experiences of four artists whose heritages span three continents and whose art delves into varied perceptions of Black experience. 

​

Rosana Paulino’s practice includes drawing, embroidery, engraving, printmaking, collage, sculpture, and installation, and concerns Black women in Brazilian society and myth-making. 

​

Rènold Laurent celebrates Haiti—his art portrays community and spirituality, and a broad scope of Haitian culture. 

​

Mark Thomas Gibson, who was born and grew up in Miami, and is now based in Philadelphia, focuses his work on American culture and how Black lives are represented in the USA. 

​

Nontsikelelo Mutiti, from Zimbabwe, Africa, reflects on technology and diaspora aesthetics in her practice.

​

The Virtual Reality (VR) app for “This Life: Black Life in the Time of Now” will soon be available for download through the Meta App Lab Store. The VR app will be available in English, Spanish, French and Brazilian Portuguese.

The Augmented Reality (AR) app “This Life: Black Life in the Time of Now” will soon be available for download through both the Google Play Store and Apple Store. The AR app will be available in English, Spanish, French and Brazilian Portuguese.

The Virtual Reality (VR) app for "ARt Connecting Communities:  Overtown and Coral Gables" will soon be available for download through the Meta App Lab Store. The VR app will be available in English, Spanish, French and Brazilian Portuguese.

​

The Augmented Reality (AR) app “ARt Connecting Communities:  Overtown and Coral Gables” will soon be available for download through both the Google Play Store and Apple Store. The AR app will be available in English, Spanish, French and Brazilian Portuguese.