Black Women in Art: Exhibitions to visit in NYC
Left: Uzo Njoku: A Space of My Own Solo Exhibition (Sarah) Right : Rise Exhibition Patricia Stuart (Daughter of the King)
It’s been over a year and a half since visiting any museums or events in NYC. I was so excited to recently get to see some amazing intimate showings of Black Women artists with the Rise Exhibition collection of 12 Black Women & a solo show for Uzo Njoku. Both collections were stunning to see in person, the range of materials, subject matter, and the empowering voice each piece represents, really was an honor. Online has been a great way to connect but seeing the pieces with the intricate, small details and to take in the whole experience and register an emotional connection is still unmatched!
The Rise Exhibition is at the Heath Gallery in Harlem and you can register for a free timed ticket on the website as it’s a very intimate setting on the first-floor brownstone and definitely if you have a chance to speak with Saundra Alexis Heath, the co-owner of the gallery, about her vision for the show and the background of the artists chosen and their works was enriching and a real pleasure! I went during the original run but they have extended due to overwhelming success and interest and added so many new pieces until June 26th!
Just a few of the amazing pieces at the Rise Exhibition: top left to right: Patricia Stuart ( Daughter of the King), Gabrielle Baker (Gold Ore), Laura Gadson ( Requiem Post Unnatural Selection) bottom left to right : Shenna Vaughn (My Sister’s Keeper), Eunice Kindred (Throb), Heather Williams (Post Covid Surrealism III)
photo credit: Storm Jenkins.
Not sure how I got connected & started following online the uber talented Uzo Njoku, but so glad I am & was excited to see her solo show downtown at the Voltz Clarke gallery (it’s a free event & check gallery link for times of operation) and it’s been extended until June 30th due to great interest and a few new pieces were just added! The bright, rich colors used in most of her work & centering many different women and drawing from different eras but still with a modern twist really makes each piece stand out on its own but as a collection was even more striking! Definitely, a must-see in person, and look forward to more work for Uzo as she continues her MFA studies this fall!
Uzo Njoku solo show top left to right : An Ode to Nina Ricci, Sarah, Frank Horn London. Bottom left to right: A Trip Around The Sun, In My Own Space, Untitled.
Photo credit: Storm Jenkins
