Searching for the Heart of Black Identity: Art and the Contemporary African American Experience

KMAC searches for the heart of Black identity

by Ali Shaw, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, located at 715 West Main Street, is pleased to present Searching for the Heart of Black Identity from January 9 – April 10, 2010. From Hip-Hop music to contemporary literature, movies to cable television, the identity of Black America is often characterized by caricature and exaggeration. Searching for the Heart of Black Identity showcases the work of an amazing group of African-American artists from across America whose work explores this cultural conundrum. This provocative exhibition includes works in film, photography, textiles, sculpture, paintings and poetry. The opening reception will be held on Friday, January 8th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm.

Each participating artist embarks on their own quest to engage the world through the prism of his or her own personal family, social history and experience. The resulting work is a snapshot of what it means to be African American in contemporary society. Participating artists include: Amalia Amaki, Sanford Biggers, Milton Bowens, Michael Paul Britto, Sheila Pree Bright, Rogger Cummings, Detekh, Nikki Giovani, Nekisha Durrett, Christopher Harrison, Rodney Jackson, Lauren Kelley, Christina Marsh, Bradley McCallum & Jacqueline Tarry, Caiphus Moore, Fahamu Pecou, Jefferson Pinder, Bayeté Ross Smith, Duane Smith, Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Frank X Walker, Kehinde Wiley and Deborah Willis.

Searching for the Heart of Black Identity is generously sponsored by Louisville Metro Government and the MetLife Foundation, with support from the W. L. Lyons Brown Foundation.

Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults, free for KMAC members, students and children under 12. For more information, please call 502.589.0102 or log on to www.KentuckyArts.org.