To quote the polarizing Kanye West “Last night was mad
treal!” I accompanied
Exhibit Treal co-founder and brilliant artist
TracyGuiteu down to Opa-Locka, Florida as she was going to drop-off some of her
pieces to the gallery for an upcoming show. To my pleasant surprise, this
wouldn’t be any ordinary routine drop… it would be become an examination into
what is it is to unapologetically accept that being of African descent equaled
everything that makes America cool.
Within the notorious streets of Miami’s Opa-locka stands
TheArc. And the name couldn’t have been a better choice. Once you stepped in you
were instantly transported into a “whole new world”. This world, so masterfully
crafted belongs to the brilliance of curator Ludlow Bailey. The world traveler
greets you with the warmest of grace and brightest of smiles. His energy sets
the tone immediately, here stood a proud black man welcoming you to indulge in
the visual banquet spread upon the walls.
Right of the bat, you are given the sense that this isn’t
just a walk through, take a selfie exhibit. This was thought-provoking, it was
meant for those within the walls to engage with each other and the works. And
this is made clear when Mr. Bailey gently yet with a firm enough presence
suggests that you after looking around, select your three favorite pieces and
then explain to him why they are. Here is the defining moment to myself that
redefine what a curator’s role is.
Mr. Baily with a simple request place on you a challenge.
One that made your focus sincerely, encouraged you too really dive-in to the art.
There was an assignment, an examination to question yourself on why we find
ourselves drawn to specific pieces. When you learn Mr. Bailey study philosophy
at Brown University, it all begins to be clarified. This was his art, every
work selected, where each piece hung and why… each inch intently planned out to
let your mind roam and be blown by what it took in. I had no intentions of
failing this assignment.
Though this was the closing reception for the exhibit, the
energy swirling around the corridor felt as lively as a grand opening. Everyone
that sauntered in became fully enthralled in what their eyes noticed.
“AfroCool”
through being a multi-media showcase of diverse subject matters that dwelled so
deeply in the conscious of Afro-America moved you. It literally feels as though
you are partaking on a journey, one that was as Mr. Bailey noted “A celebration
of ourselves”.
With such a vast collection of breath-taking works it was so
hard to narrow it down to just three. And in this I couldn’t help but imagine
the large task Mr. Bailey encountered carefully crafting this exhibition. Paintings
that capture the beautiful struggle such as “Red Hat” by the Dominican Republic
born Rafael Santa Vargas, who has a BA in visual arts spoke volumes. Graphic
artist MOHKAI works span across the walls with deliberate messages screaming to
be creative, be yourself and love the revolution all statements in one’s self
evolution. Jackson Shuri’s “Isolation” ,
whom happened to be the only woman artist in the show’s large scale painting sang
a melody Billie Holiday would love with it’s layers of complexity. Born in St.
Croix, Rodrigo Richardson, who is a tall friendly spirit artwork reflected his
personality. He’s creative energies shine brightly though his works like “Cry
Blood” & “The Good Jesus”
The elusive Miami artist M.O.AL.’s works and installation pieces
push your conscious to really check yourself and your stance in America. Two of
his works “Full Metal Jacket” (which presented a silhouette of America outlined
by bullet shells) and “Steel Pulse” that were within the group exhibit were
hauntingly powerful. And in the next room, you step further into M.O.A.L’s
visual analyst of society and who we are with “Cultivating the God Gene”. An installation
and solo exhibition of the secretive artist. Miami’s very own Banksy who as far
as we know may or maynot of been in the building was well represent both through art and his street team
which took time to expound upon M.O.A.L’s art, creative intentions and pass out
stickers.
Yet when it was time for me for seek out Mr. Bailey and
present my final decision, I did such with my head held high and completely assured.
My number one favorite was what Mr. Bailey describe as the heart of the
exhibition. And that’s Dinizulu Gene Tinnie’s “Seven Masques”, which steals the
show. The elongated masterpiece felt like an epic poem, an ode to then, now and
what’s to come. It depicted the Atlantic slave trade, but in this harsh journey
it expressions the seeds for the artistic trees that would go on to bloom
America’s most exciting aspects of culture. Gene would again conqueror my
attention with “Monk’s Crossing”, an elaborately design work that for me
reminded me of the power of music to travel us from this earth to furthest
reaches of the galaxy. The figures in “Rum, Molasses and Cargo” somehow while
depicted slaves still exudes a sense of pride and strength often found in
people of African descent when under the darkest of moments. Charles Humes Jr’s
use of texture brings the piece to life, and left my eye fixed on its message.
“AfroCool” was as Mr. Bailey stated a screenshot of the new renaissance.
It was here, among curators, poets, writers, painters, singers & scientist
all of African descent that Mr. Bailey broke the news of Donald Trump’s victory
of Florida in the primaries. As disheartening as it may be to know that his
hatred keeps growing, you can’t help but when you hear in the lecture of former
Marine (who studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison), Ethiopian born Merbebe
Solomon say things like “I believe America is here to teach collaboration,
self-interest leads to self-destruction”. Well your energy shifts, you are now
on a wave where you realize great minds in beautiful different shades of brown
and black exist and are making themselves known. So as Kendrick Lamar chants “we
gonna be alright!”
An expert marksmen taking his first in his thousand hours
journey as a public speaker, Solomon’s ability to deliver his message, his
perspective with such an attention grabbing and digestible manner would make
the late great James Baldwin proud. “So if your target is peace and collaboration”…
Solomon declares as he launches into a firing stance in front of his crowd of
listeners eagerly soaking in his words “you can’t look at the world as it is
but as it can be!”
We were even treated to be among the
Myron D Jackson the senator of the Virgin island who spoke of his aspirations for an amazing art program.
Ludlow Bailey, a curator, is a man of many hats and
blessings. The art enthusiast did not just curate an exhibit, he curated an
atmosphere that personified the idea that being of African descent is what it
means to be Cool. “AfroCool” was without a doubt #CertifiedTreal.
Don’t miss out on the next exhibit… opening this Sunday.
Featuring the works of Exhibit Treal’s very on co-founder Tracy Guiteau!!! As part of the META Series “Mother Goddess” at
The Arc. The opening is this Sunday, March 20 from 1pm – 4p. 675 Ali Baba Ave,
Opa-locka, Fl 33054.
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