Left: “Three Jamaican Men” / Right: “Color Blind”

Black Collagists + Artforum

I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my little sister to the local bookstore. While she was reading the latest Junie B Jones books I would thumb through copies of art and or graphic design publications. When viewing ArtForum, as I turn the pages of ads for upcoming exhibits or read articles about contemporary artists I would think silently “It would be cool to have my work on one of these pages someday”. The opportunity to share space with other artists who manifest thoughts or concepts through what they create and to simply be a part of a larger conversation would be encouraging.

S/O and thanks to @terihenderson for making it actually happen. Her savvy curation and poignant editorial contribution in the January 2024 issue of @artforum gave artists @jessicawxart, @khaleelah.harris, @severe.paper, and myself an opportunity to be inserted into the canon of contemporary art. I am honored to share space with Yannick, Jessica, Isiah, and Khaleelah. What a way to start 2024—let’s keep it going!

“Black collagists create visual records of their worlds, and their world-making adds to the canon of art history, correcting the record and offsetting the active and passive erasure of Black culture.”
— Teri Henderson
The cover of the January 2024 issue of Art Forum

RE: Artforum

  1. On the topic of terminating the editor-in-chief after signing a letter supporting Palestinian liberation. While this would ordinarily be a joyous occasion to celebrate being included and recognized with a group of artists I truly admire, these are not ordinary times. I understand why many who look to Art Forum to be the epitome of journaling contemporary art are disappointed in the way they chose to handle the situation. 

  2. Personally I value the rights, liberties, and freedoms of all people—period. Geopolitical issues are divisive. I do not support the oppression of any group of people.

  3. To promote human rights, fact-based news, or the arts I support organizations who have long standing track-records of accountability, genuine missions, and deep community involvement such as:
    ACLU
    Black Lives Matter
    Human Rights Watch
    NIAD
    NPR
    UNICEF