The African American Museum in Philadelphia hosts two new exhibits for the fall season
The African American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP) hosted two new exhibitions to be presented at the Museum for the fall and winter seasons: “Vision & Spirit: African American Art | Works from the Bank of America Collection” and “Black Healthcare Studies: Black Students Breaking Barriers in Medicine”.
“Vision & Spirit,” which was loaned through the Bank of America Art in our Communities program, is a collection of nearly 100 paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and mixed media works by 48 renowned African-American artists born in the 19th century. and twentieth centuries.
Organized in partnership with the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, artists in the exhibition include Henry Clay Anderson, Chelle Barbour, Romare Bearden, Dawoud Bey, Willie Cole, Murry DePillars, Jacob Lawrence, Whitfield Lovell, Gordon Parks, Faith Ringgold, Jamel Shabazz and James VanDerZee.
The exhibition, which spans two gallery spaces, focuses on the strength and spirit of these talented individuals as creative forces whose work continues to shape our understanding of the world. “Vision & Spirit” will be on view until February 19, 2023.
“Black Healthcare Studies” explores the adverse backgrounds and barriers faced by black students pursuing careers in healthcare. Artist Doriana Diaz uses mixed media and collage compositions to transform everyday objects and archival documents into Afro-futuristic depictions of black figures in healthcare.
Diaz is inspired by the stories of Afro-feminist care and activism, historical research, and personal testimonies of Janita Matoke, an incoming student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine who holds a master’s degree in public health at Thomas Jefferson University. .
Diaz’s art and Matoke’s scholarship converge for an interdisciplinary analysis of the systemic racism faced by Black students in health care and culture and the unique tools through which they transcend these difficulties. “Black Healthcare Studies” is on display until November 27, 2022 in the Museum’s Jack T. Franklin Auditorium.
In addition to “Vision & Spirit,” the Museum’s permanent exhibition “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 – 1876” is also currently presented by PECO. This exhibit tells the stories and contributions of people of African descent in Philadelphia during the tumultuous century since the founding of our nation. Additional support for AAMP exhibitions and programming is provided by PNC Arts Alive and PECO.
To learn more about current exhibits at the African American Museum of Philadelphia and to purchase admission and/or AAMP membership, visit: www.aampmuseum.org/.
