An ambitious and provocative cultural undertaking, Undercover: Performing and Transforming Black Female Identities is an expansive art exhibition which explores the African American female’s sense of self and beauty. Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, PH.D. and director of Spelman College’s Museum of Fine Art, explains that her intention with this must-see, original exhibit is a response to several cultural issues which have rarely been addressed in the artistic forum. “The theme of this show is race, gender and disguise. We organized the show primarily to [address] the perceptions and expectations regarding the ways that black women are represented — and how they present themselves as well as how other people present them,” she explains.
The shows more than 50 works of art were assembled from private collections and museums as close in proximity as Atlanta and as far away as Africa. Undercover embodies a gamut of art mediums including painting, photography, sculpture and video.
“There are so many examples in popular culture whereby black women are presented wearing various wigs and being in disguise and presenting themselves in protest — whether it’s art specific events or socio-cultural things. At the same time there are so many other people that present themselves as black women, [including] household names like Tyler Perry and Geraldine who have really dominated the airwaves. And we don’t really have a place to talk about these things politically,” Brownlee adds explaining that the Spelman’s Museum of Fine Art focuses on women of the African Diaspora.
“We hope that people walk away with new perspectives on ways to think about how black women are represented visually. … It’s a really rich and diverse exhibition,” adds Brownlee.
Museum visitors will be privy to the works of such recognized artists as Vern Simpson and Gordon Parks and many will be introduced to emerging artists like Nandipha Mntambo of South Africa and Kenyan-born Magdalene Odundo, to name a few.
Undercover: Performing and Transforming Black Female Identities will be on display through December 5, 2009. –roz edward
Visit rollingout.com for video interview with Andrea Barnwell Brownlee
