HMAAC Exhibition Souls of Black Folk
April 26-July 19
Houston Museum of African American Culture Upstairs and Downstairs Galleries
Souls of Black Folk shines a bright light on the spectrum of Black artistic practices from the early 20th century to present day. The exhibition explores the stylistic evolutions powerfully expressed in the works of over 42 African American artists. Including vibrant paintings, prints, sculpture, and drawings. Souls of Black Folk showcases the broadness of African American life through the lens of black artists as they employ a diversity of style, content and composition to present a community that is at times defiant, resilient, caring and provocative. Simply by showing these images of over 42 artists during current times, when Executive Branch efforts to remove federal protections and safety nets from African Americans, the museum is making a political statement that black artists have been making for the past century; we are here, our lives matter and we have something to say.
Souls of Black Folk provides additional content and expanded perspective to the current Tate Modern organized Soul of A Nation exhibition and is organized by HMAAC and ACA Galleries in New York. Curated by John Guess, Jr. Souls of Black Folk is graciously sponsored by Erin and Adrian Patterson, Deborah and William Colton and the Board of Directors of the Houston Museum of African American Culture.
Summary of Programming:
April 25, 2020
Black Art in America (BAIA) Souls of Black Folk VIP Preview
6:30 pm Cocktails
7:00 pm Tour with Najee Dorsey and SOBF Curator John Guess, Jr.
7:30 pm Seated Preview Dinner at HMAAC
April 25-26, 2020
BAIA Fine Art Show: Featuring legacy and contemporary artists – Big Thoughts Room
The Saga of Jack Johnson, Reginald Gammon
April 30, 2020
Souls of Black Folk Exhibition Lecture: The Problem Soul and Life Without Appeal
Anthony Pinn, Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University.
There’s an important but under-appreciated dimension in The Souls of Black Folk, one of the most well-known books by W.E.B. Du Bois. Nationally renowned intellect Anthony Pinn calls it “the problem soul.”
May 30: Screening of the film Bert, on the life of artist Bert L. Long, Jr., named by the Houston Press of of the 10 Best Documentaries About Houston
June 13: What’s Not On View in These Exhibitions Lecture by Elliot Perry, Collector, Minority Owner Memphis Grizzlies, former NBA player
July 11: The Importance of the Soul of A Nation and Souls of Black Folk Exhibitions Lecture by Valerie Cassel Oliver, Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
