Exhibitions | The Black On Black Project — The Black On Black Project

In Blooming in Plain Sight, collage artist Marcus Dawson explores the intricate and nuanced existence of Black men in America as they search for their divine nature. He uses found materials and images to compose the beautiful complexity of Black men.

'Intergalactic Soul'

Intergalactic Soul is a multimedia exhibition that tells the story of two young Black space travelers who journey across the cosmos in search of their history and heritage to ensure a better future for themselves.

'The Curiosity of Jim Lee'

Artist Jim Lee has illuminated his curiosity through his creations since the late 1990s. The Durham, North Carolina native’s works examine, among other things, the ideas behind abundance, assimilation and freedom. In The Curiosity of Jim Lee, the artist's vast interests are on full display.

'Voices of Oberlin'

In Voices of Oberlin, hear and see from elders and contemporaries how special the Oberlin community was and still is. Through portraiture and oral histories from community members sharing memories and lessons from the mostly African American enclave, the spirit of Oberlin is made clear.

'Lost in Transition'

Forbidden to teach or study. Segregated, under-resourced facilities. Court-ordered, integrated, unsupportive environments devoid of familiar culture. The journey toward education has always been complex for the Black community, but there was something exceptional about Black institutions. Featuring work by Alexandria P. Clay.

'I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course!'

In "I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course!," mixed media artist Alexandria P. Clay presents a body of work that eagerly searches for shelter from the trauma of experiencing marginalizing spaces.

'MMXIX: I'M GLAD YOU BELIEVED IN ME'

Charlotte-based artist Marcus Kiser's first solo exhibition, MMXIX: I'M GLAD YOU BELIEVED IN ME, explores his experience of loss, grief, support, optimism, faith and love.

'Continuum of Change'

"It is only through examining history that you become aware of where you stand within the continuum of change." — John Lewis, "Across That Bridge"

"Constellations: Ways I Felt, Things I Made"

“Constellations: Ways I Felt, Things I Made” is a visual origin story of artist Shay Hendricks. This exhibition reflects the initial thoughts and early stages of the artistic process as Hendricks works through figuring out a pathway to discuss issues of the day.

'A Space for Reflection'

"A Space for Reflection" is an outdoor installation centering Black artists and artists of color who captured this time through their work, which was originally featured on downtown buildings.

'Troublesome Presence'

The artwork in "Troublesome Presence" underscores how African-Americans have been the antithesis of "troublesome," rather a community that has supported the ideals that America claims to stand for. #TroublesomePresence

'Have You Heard...'

Anthony Patterson’s "Have You Heard..." is an exhibition about the forgotten and hidden histories of two African-American communities in North Carolina: the city of Wilmington, and the Crest Street Community in Durham. #APHaveYouHeard

'Destroy the Man, Keep the Body'

In "Destroy the Man, Keep the Body," artist Stephen Hayes uses sculpture and mixed media to represent how the African-American community has supported itself in the United States the last 400 years. #DestroytheManKeeptheBody

'Paradigm Shifts of Public Spaces: Wilmington'

Exhibition statement: In "Paradigm Shifts of Public Spaces: Wilmington," artists Alexandria P. Clay and Anthony Patterson examine what happens to African-American public spaces after a paradigm shift disrupts communities. The artists use the Wilmington race riot of 1898 and the Wilmington Ten as catalysts. #PSPSWilmington #ALWilmington

'The Will of the Father'

Project statement: "The Will of the Father" is a performance piece that looks at some of the slave history of Raleigh’s Dix Park. The installation and performance were part of SEEK Raleigh. #WillofFatherRaleigh

'The Perspective of the 'Others''

Exhibition statement: Society hasn't always depicted people of color in a fair way or taken into consideration our perspective on the world around us. Who gets to decide what perspective is shared as the one that counts? "The Perspective of the 'Others'" is an exhibition where artists of color share their thoughts on identity in their own voice. #BlackOnBlackLCAC

'I Feel Like That'

Exhibition statement: "I Feel Like That" is an exhibition that focuses on issues associated with mental health. Through portraiture, artist Telvin Wallace uses his direct relationship with the subject matter to embrace the contentious impression of mental illness and the place it holds in society. #IFeelLikeTelvin

'Colored Me'

Exhibition statement: In one of her most famed essays, "How it Feels to be Colored Me," novelist Zora Neale Hurston speaks on how she "feel[s] most colored when thrown against a sharp white background." Relating to this experience, artist Alexandria Clay explores what an opposite, colored background looks like; one that prioritized, reinforced and supported her own identity. #ColoredMeExhibit

"Black On Black V3"

Exhibition statement: The third iteration of “Black On Black,” BOBV3, looks at how people of color have come up with solutions and ways to deal with the continued oppression, degradation and daily emotional labor endured. The artwork in BOBV3 seeks to heal and reveal the agency that people of color have always had.

We didn’t create the problems, but we’ve created solutions. #BlackOnBlackV3 #BOBV3

'Bricks Need Mortar' - Wilmington

January 25 to March 8, 2019 | Anchorlight Wilmington

"Bricks Need Mortar" is a William Paul Thomas multimedia project that allows community members to explore the bricks and mortar of community. #BricksNeedMortar #ALWilmington

'Daddy's Home'

January 10 to 26 | Anchorlight

The artwork in “Daddy’s Home” explores the decisions artist Lamar Whidbee’s father made and how those choices affected the artist’s approach in raising his own son. In both cases, daddy was and is at home. #WhidbeeDaddysHome

'Declarations of Success'

June 22 to July 27 | DREAMs of Wilmington

In "Declarations of Success," artist Lamar Whidbee collaborates with youth from DREAMs of Wilmington to present paintings, photographs and assemblages that represent how the students have declared what their success will be. #DeclarationsofSuccess

'artfor(us)'

April 20 to May 12, 2018 | Artspace

"artfor(us)" is a series of artworks created by artist Sherrill Roland that grew out of his personal history of being wrongfully incarcerated in Washington, DC. During his incarceration, Roland attempted to remain connected to art and the life that was taken from him. One of the things that helped was Artforum magazine, which a close family friend helped him acquire. #jumpsuitartforus

'Right Before We Fly'

March 3 to March 29, 2018 | Anchorlight

In the moment before you take a leap anything is possible. And in that moment, before your toes leave the ground, is when the impossible becomes an option. In "Right Before We Fly," a sculpture installation, Dare Coulter focuses on creating an embodiment of that moment of impossibility. #RightBeforeWeFly

'Full Circle'

December 13 to December 24, 2017 | The Carrack Modern Art

In "Full Circle" Anthony Patterson examines police violence against Black Americans through multiple lenses. The work does not only address the problem, but also opens the dialogue to many underlying issues. This body of work reflects the artist's year-long engagement with the subject matter. #APFullCircle

'Black On Black V2'

October 5 to November 25, 2017 | VAE Raleigh

We’re seeing imagery that reminds us of Los Angeles in 1992, Tulsa in 1921 and Wilmington in 1898. These incidents seem to show disregard for the lives of people of color. But we bounce back because there is tremendous strength within our community. #BlackOnBlackV2

'Free Lunch'

August 12 to September 1, 2017 | Anchorlight

Artist Lamar Whidbee, coming off receiving his MFA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, presents his take on the lack of educational opportunities for less fortunate youth. #whidbeefreelunch

'no polite disguise'

April 26 to May 7, 2017 | The Carrack Modern Art

In his first solo show at The Carrack, Raleigh native and resident André Leon Gray hit the Bull City with a sledgehammer called “no polite disguise.” #nopolitedisguise

'Bricks Need Mortar'

February 16 to 27, 2017 | Anchorlight

"Bricks Need Mortar" is a William Paul Thomas multimedia project that allows community members to explore the bricks and mortar of community. #BricksNeedMortar

'Black On Black'

October 7 to November 4, 2016, VAE Raleigh | February 27 to April 30, 2017, ATC Durham

History and society haven't always been truthful or kind in the depiction of people of color. But whose depictions are they? "Black on Black" is an exhibition where curators of color asked artists of color to share their thoughts on identity in their own voice. #BlackOnBlackVAE #BlackOnBlackATC

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