© Nandipha Mntambo

Undercover: Performing and Transforming Black Female Identities

Featuring work by: Mequitta Ahuja, Emma Amos, Sheila Pree Bright, Nick Cave, Renée Cox, Lalla Essaydi, Ellen Gallagher, Myra Greene, Lyle Ashton Harris, Lauren Kelly, Marcia Kure, Deana Lawson, Kalup Linzy, Kalup Linzy, Beverly McIver, Nandipha Mntambo, Zanele Muholi, Wangechi Mutu, Lorraine O'Grady, Magdalene Odundo, Gordon Parks, Jessica Ann Peavy, Jessica Ann Peavy, Etiye Dimma Poulsen, Berni Searle, Cindy Sherman, Coreen Simpson, Lorna Simpson, Renée Stout, Mickalene Thomas, Sheila Turner, Iké Udé, Doris Ulmann, James VanDerZee, Pat Ward Williams

: Wed, Sep 9, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

This exhibition explores the complicated practice of black women disguising themselves as well as the historic trend of others camouflaging themselves as black women. It is based on the premise that people manipulate their outward appearance for many reasons including: to gain access that they would not otherwise have, mimic, deflect attention, or garner confidential information. The project also surmises that artists incorporate the practice of disguise as a critical strategy to carry out or debunk cultural traditions, confront or reinforce stereotypes, explore fetishes, and challenge sociocultural norms.

"Undercover" considers the reasons and ramifications of disguise and the multiple implications it has on race and gender. It examines seemingly disparate types of disguise including, self-portraiture, cross-dressing, and blackface performance. Featuring a range of media including painting, video, and photography, "Undercover" investigates the multi-layered strategies for and outcomes of disguise. While it includes works by well-known artists including Lorraine O'Grady, Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson, Doris Ulmann, and James VanDerZee, it also introduces promising emerging and mid-career artists such as Renée Cox, Lalla Essaydi, Ellen Gallagher, Myra Greene, Lyle Ashton Harris, Lauren Kelley, Kalup Linzy, Nandipha Mntambo, Magdalene Odundo, Berni Searle, and many others.

For a corresponding lecture from participating artist Renée Cox, please see ACP 11 Collaborations.

Exhibition: Thu, Sep 10 to Sat, Dec 5 2009

Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center
350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314  [map: Google Maps]
hours: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sat: 12pm - 4pm
web: http://www.spelman.edu/museum
permalink: http://festivalguide.acpinfo.org/listings/view/172
ACP Listing #: 028

© Renée Cox

ACP 11 Collaborations Presents Renée Cox

Featuring work by: Renée Cox

Artist Lecture: Thu, Oct 22, 7pm - 8:30pm

Renée Cox (b. 1960), a Jamaica-born, New York-based artist, is widely acclaimed for her photographic series that provoke, question, and challenge the multi-layered impact of sexism and racial prejudice. Cox, who was initially a fashion photographer, began garnering international attention in the mid-1990s when she began using her own body as the central figure in her work. Her large-format series often feature one of her alter-egos: Rajé, the larger than life superhero wearing a skintight costume with the colors of the Jamaican flag, or Mama, the nude central figure in the Yo Mama series. Through these bold protagonists she heightens the multiple dimensions of black womanhood. Additionally, she articulates her disdain for the ways that black people have traditionally been written out of art history and articulates her deep concern and sometimes outrage for societal injustices.

This program is organized by the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in partnership with Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the Spelman College Women’s Research and Resource Center, and the High Museum of Art. It coincides with an ongoing exhibition "Undercover" at the Spelman College Museum of Art that includes the work of Renée Cox (through Dec. 5, 2009).

This program is free, however seating is limited and must be reserved. Tickets are available through the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404-733-5000 and online at high.org. Tickets to the Museum are sold separately.

An ACP Collaboration with Spelman College Museum of Art and the High Museum of Art.

High Museum of Art - Hill Auditorium
1280 Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30309  [map: Google Maps]
p: (404) 733-4400
web: http://www.acpinfo.org/programs/collaborations.shtml
permalink: http://festivalguide.acpinfo.org/listings/view/374
ACP Listing #: 017