KB CURATION OF HEIRS TO THE THRONE: SHINING LIGHT ON BLACK CONTEMPORARY FINE ARTISTS

Last year, I was deeply moved by an exhibition at The Broad titled Soul of A Nation: Art In The Age of Black Power, which exhibited incredible talented Black artists that were marginalized during their lifetime. With that in mind and the deadly COVID-19 virus has led to a staggering number of American infections and deaths with an unusually high toll on the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). There is also an open season on police brutality as it relates to the Black body in America. It is a common occurrence for a Black person to die at the hands of police, oftentimes for no reason at all except being Black.

The tragic murder of Breonna Taylor in her own home is one of the latest tragic examples and her family is still waiting for justice. To help combat these drastic challenges, we look to contemporary art and artists for guidance to chart their individual paths as they strive for clarity of purpose in their search for better understanding. The Lost Warhols in collaboration with Beverly Center and I present to you the Heirs to the Throne exhibition.

The artists included focus on the notions of race, masculinity & femininity, cultural & social identity, mental illness, colorism, homophobia, historical information mixed with contemporary critique, in their various intersections.

They have taken important cues from “the art king” Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) whose art and images explored the wealth gap, dismantling power structures and ending pernicious forms of racism. With Heirs to the Throne we continue this theme.

HEIRS TO THE THRONE: AN ART SHOW EXPERIENCE @BeverlyCenter through February 31st.