I have always appreciated the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat. In fact, I wrote my undergrad art history thesis about the public perception of his racial identity to his work. At The Broad, it was inspiring to see Basquiat’s work in a dedicated section. Must-see section of their permanent collection gallery!
collage
Greenville County Museum of Art
In Greenville, SC there is a hidden gem of a museum with great exhibitions and a stunning permanent collection. My visit was full of excitement as I saw some of my favorite artists on view: John Ahearn, Sam Gilliam, Beauford Delaney, Jacob Lawrence and William H, Johnson. Must-visit place! Greenville County Museum of Art
Volta NY 2015
This past week was a huge and insanely busy weekend in the art world. One of my favorite stops was at Volta NY 2015 and wanted to share some of what I saw in the booths:

Rudy Shepherd “Portraits” 2007-2015 Watercolor on paper Each 12 x 9 Mixed Greens, New York. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Dustin Yellin Glass, acrylic and collage Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Dustin Yellin Glass, acrylic and collage Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Dustin Yellin. detal. Glass, acrylic and collage Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Dustin Yellin Glass, acrylic and collage Richard Heller Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Travis Somerville “Well Division” 2009 Acrylic on vintage porcelain drinking fountains and panels, automotive paint on metal drinking fountain, copper pipes, running water Beta Pictoris/Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Detail of the Black water fountain from: Travis Somerville “Well Division” 2009 Acrylic on vintage porcelain drinking fountains and panels, automotive paint on metal drinking fountain, copper pipes, running water Beta Pictoris/Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Detail of the Latino water fountain from: Travis Somerville “Well Division” 2009 Acrylic on vintage porcelain drinking fountains and panels, automotive paint on metal drinking fountain, copper pipes, running water Beta Pictoris/Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Detail of the Native American water fountain from: Travis Somerville “Well Division” 2009 Acrylic on vintage porcelain drinking fountains and panels, automotive paint on metal drinking fountain, copper pipes, running water Beta Pictoris/Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

We Are All Imperfect (www.imperfectarticles.com) Trenton Doyle Hancock at Volta NY. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Peterson Kamwathi “Untitled (Positions Series Part II, VII) Signed titled and dated 2015 on the reverse Charcoal, stencil, pastel, spray paint, watercolor, ink and collage on paper. Executed in 2015. ARTLabAfrica, Nairobi. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Peterson Kamwathi “Untitled (Positions Series Part II, IX) Signed titled and dated 2015 on the reverse Charcoal, stencil, pastel, spray paint, watercolor, ink and collage on paper. Executed in 2015. ARTLabAfrica, Nairobi. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Kenyatta Hinkle. Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco/New York. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Kenyatta Hinkle “The Transfiguration” 2015 gouache, India ink and acrylic on wood panel. Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco/New York. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Kenyatta Hinkle “The Seer” 2015 India ink, polyfilm, acrylic paint on wood panel. Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco/New York. Photo by Erin K. Hylton

Kenyatta Hinkle “The Sower” 2015 India ink, acrylic paint and polyfilm on wood panel. Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco/New York. Photo by Erin K. Hylton
Venturing Out of the Heart of Darkness
On Saturday, February 7th I attended the Family Opening for Venturing Out of the Heart of Darkness at the Henry B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture in Charlotte, NC. Focused on colonialism and its impact on black culture, the exhibit features 19 artists who are national and international representatives of the African diaspora. Some of the artists featured include Jason Patterson and Bethany Collins. Within the exhibit are a variety of mediums, such as sculpture, performance art, collage and digital media. Full of thought-provoking and inspiring artworks, it is a must-see for all that can attend.
My personal favorite was the collaboration between Heather Hart and André D. Singleton, which allowed for personal introspection and participation in an activated space in the galleries. Sharing my wish was a powerful and moving experience.
Open through June 26th the exhibit provides a breadth of work that allows you to examine the societal impact of colonialism on how black culture is viewed and defined.