“At a time in American society where racial tensions have climaxed yet again, Black Like Who? emerges as a small but tremendously important exhibition,” said Kelli Morgan. “Its examination of race and representation in American art asks some very hard questions and considers some pretty difficult concepts to illuminate how visual comprehension of blackness has consistently informed larger understandings of both African American people and black culture throughout American history.”
The Birmingham Museum of Art curatorial fellow for African American art lends her voice and expertise to the exhibit’s interactive audio features available from the BMA’s website on any device with wireless or 3G access. Interested parties can take an in-depth tour of Black Like Who? Exploring Race and Representation whether they are in the museum, at a public library or from the comfort of their own homes. Black Like Who? opened July 11 in the Bohorfoush Gallery and will be on display until Nov. 1.
In her audio recording Morgan described the exhibit as “an intricate but brief visual history of how American ideas of blackness have transformed through time in response to particular political moments, intellectual philosophies and the aesthetic interests of various artists.”
Given this year’s racially charged outbreaks of violence and, most recently, the much-challenged Alabama Law Enforcement Agency closures of driver’s license offices in Alabama’s “Black Belt” region, Black Like Who? proves to be a thoughtful, relevant assemblage of BMA permanent collection pieces and private works from local lenders.
Black Like Who? is available for viewing at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd, Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. To access the exhibit’s interactive features, visit artsbma.org/tours.