Three New Exhibits in Chicago Celebrating African-American Art

There’s always a feeling of optimism with the arrival of a New Year.

Given how difficult the last couple of years have been, it’s probably harder for many of us to summon up the same level of optimism we had at the start of 2020.

But that’s why getting back out in the world and experiencing a little life is so important. Even if you have to wear your mask to the museum, at least we can go to the museum at all.

Here are a few great new exhibits to check out in the Chicago area focused on the work of African-American artists.

“Art and Race Matters: The Career of Robert Colescott”

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought attention to many great African-American artists, who are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

One of the best examples is Robert Colescott, who “set the stage for many of the Black artists who have followed him but remains stubbornly and unfairly overlooked since his death in 2009 at age 83,” The Chicago Sun-Times reported.

A new retrospective for Colescott is on view at the Chicago Cultural Center through May 29. It’s the largest exhibit ever for the artist originally from Oakland, California

Titled “Art and Race Matters: The Career of Robert Colescott,” the exhibit includes 55 paintings and works on paper that Colescott created over the course of his 50-year career. Major works include examples from his time in Seattle, Portland, and Egypt.

Briana Bibbs’ “The JOURNAL Series”

Much of modern art, especially of the last two years, has focused on individuals trying to cope with personal problems that are also universal and timely.

This is expressed beautifully in the textile work of Briana Bibbs, who started her “JOURNAL Series” in the summer of 2020. She now has built a collection of more than 100 weavings that document her life and emotions.

Much of her work is about her personal experiences with domestic violence and abuse, Bibbs told The Daily Northwestern.

“‘The JOURNAL Series’ is completely spontaneous and all done in the basic form of woven structures,” Bibbs said. “I really want the focus to be less on the structure and more so on the materials and the colors that I’m using.”

African-American Art at Prudential Plaza

Another great exhibit featuring African-American artists is now on display at Prudential Plaza.

One Two Pru, also known as Prudential Plaza, is showing off art from Gallery Guichard, a Black-owned art gallery in Bronzeville. The point of the exhibit is to showcase Black artists and bring their work to new audiences that might not be familiar with them.

“The exhibition at One Two Pru is an introspection of Chicago and it covers everything from jazz to blues, to energy, introspection and landscapes depicting the Great Migration, so it’s everything Chicago has to offer,” Andre Guichard, co-owner of Gallery Guichard, told WTTW News.