Black Hair: Resistance, Freedom and Beauty
Black hair is a symbol of identity, resistance, creative expression and freedom. From unique hair styling to braiding maps, Black hair has shaped Black culture and led Black Americans to numerous freedoms throughout history and today. Black Hair: Resistance, Freedom and Beauty is an immersive group exhibition that showcases works centering the contemporary Black hair experience, the rich history of Black hair, and the Black hair shops as healing spaces. Adornment and styling of hair has always been an essential component of Black culture in America. Through a wide range of styles, Black hair continuously represents the resilience of self expression for Black Americans. The intricate styling and treatments required for Black hair has created space for community in the history and legacy of Black Americans. This exhibition highlights the intimacy and healing created for Black people in hair styling salons through imagery that empowers and celebrates Black hair. Through installation, photography, mixed-media works, and performance, this exhibition will share various stories surrounding hair culture by Black artists.
This exhibition look place at Icebox Project Space in 2023.
Artists: Patricia Renee Thomas @patriciareneethomas Khari Turner @khari.raheem Lavett Doreen Ballard Lavettbeart.com Artise Fletcher @Artisenotartist Zeinab Diomande @ztheratt Susan Ragland @susanurbanfolkart Cacie Rosario @crosariophoto Zoraye Cyrus https://zorayecyrus.squarespace.com Reshada Pullen-Jireh @reshadapj Ayan Abdi @ayyanabdi Dejeonge Reese @dejeonge Neysa Wellington @AyooFree Izosceles @izosceles Shayla Marshall @Shaylamonii Jevon Brown @Novej.Studi0 Annika Hart Ashley Ja'nae @ashley.janaeart Lendeh Sherman grandcanoedesigns.com Kara Mshinda www.karamshinda.com Amani J. @amani.j.creates Jah @JaySquids
Black hair is a symbol of identity, resistance, creative expression and freedom. From unique hair styling to braiding maps, Black hair has shaped Black culture and led Black Americans to numerous freedoms throughout history and today. Black Hair: Resistance, Freedom and Beauty is an immersive group exhibition that showcases works centering the contemporary Black hair experience, the rich history of Black hair, and the Black hair shops as healing spaces. Adornment and styling of hair has always been an essential component of Black culture in America. Through a wide range of styles, Black hair continuously represents the resilience of self expression for Black Americans. The intricate styling and treatments required for Black hair has created space for community in the history and legacy of Black Americans. This exhibition highlights the intimacy and healing created for Black people in hair styling salons through imagery that empowers and celebrates Black hair. Through installation, photography, mixed-media works, and performance, this exhibition will share various stories surrounding hair culture by Black artists.
This exhibition look place at Icebox Project Space in 2023.
Artists: Patricia Renee Thomas @patriciareneethomas Khari Turner @khari.raheem Lavett Doreen Ballard Lavettbeart.com Artise Fletcher @Artisenotartist Zeinab Diomande @ztheratt Susan Ragland @susanurbanfolkart Cacie Rosario @crosariophoto Zoraye Cyrus https://zorayecyrus.squarespace.com Reshada Pullen-Jireh @reshadapj Ayan Abdi @ayyanabdi Dejeonge Reese @dejeonge Neysa Wellington @AyooFree Izosceles @izosceles Shayla Marshall @Shaylamonii Jevon Brown @Novej.Studi0 Annika Hart Ashley Ja'nae @ashley.janaeart Lendeh Sherman grandcanoedesigns.com Kara Mshinda www.karamshinda.com Amani J. @amani.j.creates Jah @JaySquids
In Unison: Ceramic Sculptures by George Rodriguez
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, July 21, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On view: July 21 - September 10, 2023
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, July 25, 2023; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
George Rodriguez creates large-scale ceramic sculptures inspired by his upbringing in El Paso, Texas and the interconnections between people of various cultures. He creates grand guardian figures, zodiac animals, and ceramic vessels that depict his community members as ancient relics. This exhibition showcases the collaborative works Rodriguez creates with his peers and mentors in the ceramic community alongside works inspired by the relationships that influence his practice.
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, July 21, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On view: July 21 - September 10, 2023
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, July 25, 2023; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
George Rodriguez creates large-scale ceramic sculptures inspired by his upbringing in El Paso, Texas and the interconnections between people of various cultures. He creates grand guardian figures, zodiac animals, and ceramic vessels that depict his community members as ancient relics. This exhibition showcases the collaborative works Rodriguez creates with his peers and mentors in the ceramic community alongside works inspired by the relationships that influence his practice.
Wildest Dreams: Works by Zeinab Diomande
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, September 15, 2023, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On view: September 15 - November 12, 2023.
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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Zeinab Diomande is an Ivorian-American multimedia artist based in Philadelphia. In her solo exhibition, “Wildest Dreams,” she explores Black womanhood through vulnerable self-portraits in her inventive multimedia works. Diomande challenges monolithic stereotypes placed on the Black community by creating limitless figures in dream-like settings. Through high-contrasting colors and vibrating patterns, these celebratory and electric works create a child-like universe for her characters to heal, express themselves, and shape their reality.
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, September 15, 2023, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On view: September 15 - November 12, 2023.
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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Zeinab Diomande is an Ivorian-American multimedia artist based in Philadelphia. In her solo exhibition, “Wildest Dreams,” she explores Black womanhood through vulnerable self-portraits in her inventive multimedia works. Diomande challenges monolithic stereotypes placed on the Black community by creating limitless figures in dream-like settings. Through high-contrasting colors and vibrating patterns, these celebratory and electric works create a child-like universe for her characters to heal, express themselves, and shape their reality.
Laying the Foundation: The Zagars’ Lives in South Philadelphia
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, May 19, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Tour & Talk with Isaiah Zagar and Executive Director Emily Smith: Tuesday, May 23, 2023; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
On view: May 19 - July 16, 2023
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"Laying the Foundation" invites the viewer to go behind the scenes of Isaiah Zagar's five fully-mosaicked sites in South Philadelphia. The sprawling public art environment at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is Isaiah's most well-known work, but Isaiah and his wife Julia have been transforming properties into total works of art for nearly six decades.
Discover the histories of these buildings where the Zagars lived, worked, made art, and built their family since 1968. Explore how they created these spaces through never-before-seen archival material, including original photographs, historic documents, and artworks that show each site's development.The exhibition highlights Julia's folk art store the Eye's Gallery, the Zagar's current home, Isaiah's current studio, a former rental property, and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, May 19, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Tour & Talk with Isaiah Zagar and Executive Director Emily Smith: Tuesday, May 23, 2023; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
On view: May 19 - July 16, 2023
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"Laying the Foundation" invites the viewer to go behind the scenes of Isaiah Zagar's five fully-mosaicked sites in South Philadelphia. The sprawling public art environment at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is Isaiah's most well-known work, but Isaiah and his wife Julia have been transforming properties into total works of art for nearly six decades.
Discover the histories of these buildings where the Zagars lived, worked, made art, and built their family since 1968. Explore how they created these spaces through never-before-seen archival material, including original photographs, historic documents, and artworks that show each site's development.The exhibition highlights Julia's folk art store the Eye's Gallery, the Zagar's current home, Isaiah's current studio, a former rental property, and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
All The Right Places: Works by Rosa Leff
Opening Reception Friday, March 3, 2023 6:00 - 9:00 PM
On view March 3 - May 14, 2023
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Using a single sheet of paper and a knife, Leff creates cityscapes that are based on photos she’s taken in her environment and around the world. In All The Right Places, Leff explores the diversity of lifestyles in Mexico and the United States in contrast with the misconceptions about each culture caused by stereotyping. While studying papel picado in Pueblo, Leff began to analyze the assumptions made about each culture and translated her observations into hand cut paper.
Opening Reception Friday, March 3, 2023 6:00 - 9:00 PM
On view March 3 - May 14, 2023
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Using a single sheet of paper and a knife, Leff creates cityscapes that are based on photos she’s taken in her environment and around the world. In All The Right Places, Leff explores the diversity of lifestyles in Mexico and the United States in contrast with the misconceptions about each culture caused by stereotyping. While studying papel picado in Pueblo, Leff began to analyze the assumptions made about each culture and translated her observations into hand cut paper.
Under $100, Under $1000: Works by Philly Artists
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, November 17, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On View: November 17, 2023 -January 14, 2024
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Under $100, Under $1000 explores a variety of artworks created by Philadelphia-based artists. This group exhibition showcases contemporary works priced under $100 or $1000 by emerging, mid-career, and established artists. These artworks compliment Isaiah Zagar’s art environment through their exploration of portraiture, experimental use of material, dynamic color combinations, and themes reflected in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Through a wide range of mediums and techniques, these artists showcase the creativity and vibrancy of the Philadelphia art scene.
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, November 17, 2023; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
On View: November 17, 2023 -January 14, 2024
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Under $100, Under $1000 explores a variety of artworks created by Philadelphia-based artists. This group exhibition showcases contemporary works priced under $100 or $1000 by emerging, mid-career, and established artists. These artworks compliment Isaiah Zagar’s art environment through their exploration of portraiture, experimental use of material, dynamic color combinations, and themes reflected in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Through a wide range of mediums and techniques, these artists showcase the creativity and vibrancy of the Philadelphia art scene.
