The Art Gallery of New South Wales has announced that it will shortly be presenting Family: Visions of a Shared Humanity, an important exhibition of unmissable video works for unsettled times, by some of today’s most internationally renowned artists.
Created in partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), USA, and guest curated by Franklin Sirmans, director of PAMM, Family presents an urgent and powerful exploration of the interconnectedness of global humanity at a moment of division, from Sirmans’ own African American perspective.
The free exhibition features nine works by leading American, British and Canadian artists, including John Akomfrah (Ghana/UK, 1957), Garrett Bradley (USA, 1986), Stan Douglas (Canada, 1960), Theaster Gates (USA, 1973), Arthur Jafa (USA, 1960), Kahlil Joseph (USA, 1981), Isaac Julien (UK, 1969), Steve McQueen (UK, 1969) and Carrie Mae Weems (USA, 1953). Together these pieces open a conversation by asking ‘how do we see each other?’
This moment, marked in the United States and beyond by a litany of recent killings of black people, has also seen courageous activism and coalition building through recognition of the intersectionality of race, gender and disadvantage.
Art Gallery of NSW director, Michael Brand said Family is the first collaboration between the Art Gallery and PAMM, and part of the Gallery’s goal to represent diverse, multicultural communities within a local and global context.
‘I want to thank my colleague Franklin Sirmans for working with us so creatively within the confines of various pandemic lockdowns. We are proud to partner with our colleagues at the Pérez Art Museum Miami to present this moving and timely exhibition after the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and explore this global moment of alertness to social and racial injustice,’ said Brand.
‘Family features nine extraordinary works that seek to create understanding through the power of art and open conversation about the deeper meaning of the term ‘family’, as it pertains to humanity.’
Family: Visions of a Shared Humanity will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW from 6 November 2021 until 13 February 2022. Exhibitions may be adjusted or cancelled subject to changes to public health advice and guidelines.
The health and safety of visitors is the top priority of the Art Gallery, which is closely following NSW Public Health Orders. Visitors are required to comply with Public Health Orders and are encouraged to plan their visit by reviewing the COVID-safe guidelines on the Art Gallery website.
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Featured image : Carrie Mae Weems ‘May days long forgotten 2002 (video still) DVD video, colour, sound. Perez Art Museum Miami, purchased with funds in memory of Denise Andrews (c) Carrie Mae Weems. Image courtesy the artist and Jack Shaman Gallery, New York.