Blog

I had the distinct pleasure last week of attending an art talk in conjunction with Kehinde Wiley's An Archaeology of Silence exhibition. I was surprised by the emotion I felt after touring the exhibition. I've never had an emotional reaction to any piece of art before, other than wonder. I've never been moved to tears before.

But this exhibition was different. I think it was the combination of the art work, the subject matter, and the staging of the exhibition that worked together to engulf my senses. The subject matter was death, violence against black bodies. But, the subject matter read more like a Shakespearean tragedy or sad Italian opera than a typical depiction of racism in the news. The exhibition wasn't explicitly about racism at all, in my opinion. Racism functioned more like a picture frame rather than the picture itself.

The subject was the poetic beauty of these beautiful lost souls - abused, yet in full possession of their inherent majesty and power. The pieces were massive - more like murals and statues than paintings and sculptures. All of the figures in the works were grounded - either sitting or lying on the ground, gorgeous, yet in pain, subjugated yet triumphant in their resilience. The size, ebullient color, and masterful execution of these master works contrasted elegantly with their muted surroundings. 

The rooms in which these figures were showcased were dark and somber. Those who came to the exhibition in groups instinctively spoke in whispers. I had the feeling of walking through someone's wake. Not just one person's, but a group-wake - as if there had been a large-scale tragedy like 911, and a mass funeral had been thrown.

And, although the rooms were dark, the light cast a dark red glow. The warmth of the red coupled with the absence of light imbued the figures with a sense of life - or afterlife. It felt like they could step off the canvases, burst out of the bronze, and ascend a ladder to heaven. Nevertheless, they stayed still for us, allowing us to acknowledge them, to see them one last time before they moved on to the Life after Life.

Yes, I got all that from an art exhibition! I am teary-eyed again just writing about it. (Please, God, let me produce work even half as good as Kehinde at some point in my life. I'll never ask for anything else!).

My life has forever been changed by this artist talk - the first one I've ever attended in person - and this exhibition. I am a member and forever-fan of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. How blessed we are to have access to such beauty for such a low price!

When is the last time you visited your local museum? If it's been a while, I hope you're able to visit soon. It can be life-changing.

Till next time,

Raven