Diasporic Crossing
Andrew Bryant - Babatunde Tribe Akande - Elegba Folklore Society
Aragbada Steven - Earl Manning - Ross Owusu
Asamoah Emmanuel - Helen E. Barnett - Serron Green
Lawrence Meju - Noah Misan Okwudini - Jonathan Chambalin
Candy Fordjour Frimpong - Huey Lightbody - Suni Mullen
Curtis Newkirk, Jr. - Matou - Trevor Anderson-Evans
Pili X - Salim - Uhunoma Prince Charles - Karen E. Griffin
Dail Chambers - Ray Johnson - VILLAGER
Derek Holland - Rosemond Nyamewaa Van-Ess - Omari Wilson
Curated by: Ra-Twoine Fields
Curatorial Asst: Nigel S. Richardson
“Diasporic Crossing” explored cultural expansion, return, homage, exchange, and connectivity through diverse media, works of art, and dynamic programming. The themes of the exhibition organically developed through curatorial selection, installation, conversation between works, and engagement amongst all. Allowance of such fluid and inductive navigation inevitably opened up new channels unrestricted by preconceived notions, perceptions, or narratives.
The exhibition housed select works by a dynamic group of artists from VA to Ghana to CA to Nigeria and many places in between. The artists and works cross navigated messages of exploration, identity, reverse acculturation (Sankofa), religion, survival, spirituality, narrative, and more. Across the spectrum of technique, media, and lived experience one entered into a healing circle also engaging presence, belonging, customs, and a myriad of ongoing developing cultural nods and insight.