Fractured Foundations: Artists in Conversation

This panel, which will take place in the exhibition gallery, will be hosted by Exhibition Manager Pam Aliaga. Both artists will talk about their narratives of Black Diaspora and how their work resonates within history and contemporary life. Of his piece Wall Street, Kambon writes: "The purpose of this work is not simply to revisit history. It is to challenge viewers to recognize the connections between the past and present. Too often, slavery is discussed as though it were a closed chapter, disconnected from contemporary realities. I reject that interpretation. The wealth generated through slavery helped build American institutions, industries, and systems of power. The social and political structures created to maintain that system continue to leave their mark on the nation today." Bianca MacPherson’s piece Counted, on view in Fractured Foundations, responds to historical census categories and collected data. MacPherson explains: "Counted uses a mirror as both object and metaphor. In gazing into it, the viewer becomes implicated within these systems of classification and valuation and is asked to confront the relationship between recognition and worth: What makes someone count? Who determines legibility, value or belonging? Reflecting both the viewer and the history embedded within it, Counted positions systems of enumeration as systems of imagination, shaping how a nation sees its people and how people see themselves." The panel will be followed by a brief Q&A. After the presentation, explore the exhibition and mingle with artists and attendees; light refreshments will be served. This event is free with museum admission, which can be purchased at the door when you arrive. We ask that you pre-register for the artist panel to reserve your spot and help us know how many guests to expect. You can also join the day of, as space allows.