Detroit’s Major Art Institutions Spotlight Black Women Artists in Historic Exhibits.

Detroit's Major Art Institutions Spotlight Black Women Artists in Historic Exhibits.

For a limited time, three of Detroit’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History are showcasing solo exhibits by Black women artists. While this convergence is coincidental, it signals a broader cultural shift, highlighting the powerful voices and creative visions of women of color, especially those with ties to Detroit.

At MOCAD, From Scratch: Seeding Adornment by Detroit-born artist LaKela Brown opened in June 2024. Now based in Brooklyn, Brown’s work has been featured globally, but this marks her first solo museum exhibit. Brown’s exhibit delves into African diaspora nourishment and adornment practices, using tactile assemblages and plaster reliefs to explore memory, migration, and cultural legacies. Curated by MOCAD’s Artistic Director, Jova Lynne, the exhibition showcases personal and collective symbols like collard greens, gold teeth, and door-knocker earrings. From Scratch: Seeding Adornment runs through October 20, 2024.

At The Wright Museum, artist Sabrina Nelson’s Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin opened on August 2, 2024, in celebration of Baldwin’s 100th birthday. This exhibit features over 40 representations of Baldwin, created by Nelson over eight years. The exhibition also includes poetry scrolls by notable local voices, an AR experience by Black Terminus AR, and a short film by Danielle Eliska. Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin will be on view until February 28, 2025. Additionally, Double ID from CCH Pounder’s collection and Adrienne Waheed: The Audacity to Thrive will remain open at The Wright through October 20 and October 27, respectively.

At the DIA, Tiff Massey’s groundbreaking solo exhibit, 7 Mile + Livernois, pays tribute to Black Detroiters’ style. As the youngest artist ever to exhibit at the DIA, Massey’s immersive sculptures reflect the intersection of neighborhoods near the Avenue of Fashion. The exhibit, curated by Katie Pfohl, is the largest by a Detroit artist at the DIA and will remain on display until May 11, 2025.

These exhibits represent historic firsts for all three artists and major milestones for Detroit’s art institutions. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the celebration of Black women’s artistic contributions in Detroit.

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