By Hazel Scott/ASU
In celebration of Black History Month, Alabama State University’s Department of Visual Arts has partnered with 21 Dreams Arts & Culture to present the art exhibition titled “BLKFWD: Afrofuturism x The Black Imagination Vol. 1,” in the Warren/Britt Gallery located in ASU’s Tullibody Fine Arts Center.
The opening reception was held on Friday, February 10. A second event called Art Talk, a community conversation with artists, will be held on February 25 in the gallery starting at 2 p.m. The displays will continue through March 6.
The exhibition explores the imagination and presents a vision of what the future could be – through a Black lens. Simply stated, it’s a forward vision of Black thought and creativity demonstrated through art, science and technology.
“In the spirit of Black architects and inventors of ancient and present civilizations, the Black Imagination offers a vision of the Afrocentric future - a future influenced by Black culture, experiences, diversity, and pride. A future powered by science, technology, community, and the arts,” stated Kalonji A. Gilchrist, executive director of 21 Dreams Arts & Culture, in a news release.
Cleve Webber, professor in the Department of Visual Arts, said Alabama artists are participating. “ASU has been lucky enough to be home or host to a broad range of exhibitions of work by artists from the Black diaspora over the years.”
He pointed out that Visual Art has long provided its own protest, commentary, escape and perspective for African Americans. “The Black painters, sculptors, photographers and textile artists featured exemplify the tradition of exhibiting resilience in times of conflict, as well as the ritual of creation, and the defiant pleasure of healing.”
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 334-604-8490 or 334-604-5894.