: 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