Curator Statement

Visual Voices 2025-2026

BLACK LIFE AS SUBJECT MATTER III

 

EbonNia Gallery

1135 W. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way

Dayton, Ohio 45402           

 

                                                    BLACK LIFE As Subject MATTER III CONCEPT

 

Virtual exhibit shown at www.bingdavisartstudio.org

Small group viewing, 10 persons or less, by appointment with masks and social distancing, Monday through Saturday. 11:00am – 5:00p.m.

 

THE THEME, , ALLOWS THE ARTISTS TO SELECT ANY ASPECT OF THE BLACK LIFE EXPERIENCE AS SUBJECT MATTER FOR THEIR CREATIVE EXPRESSION.

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THIS TEAM OF VISUAL ARTISTS ARE LIKE A COMMUNITY CHOIR LIFTING THEIR MELODIC VOICES IN UNISON TO EXPRESS WHAT THEY SEE AND FEEL ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY, A NATION, AND A WORLD IN A GREAT STATE OF STRUGGLE AND CHANGE. ARTISTS ARE VISUAL GRIOTS, VISUAL STORY TELLERS WHO HAVE A UNIQUE WAY OF EXPERIENCING THE WORLD AND A SPECIAL WAY OF EXPRESSING WHAT THEY SEE AND FEEL.

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TO MORE FULLY GAUGE THE TEMPERATURE OF A NATION, WE NEED ONLY TO LISTEN TO THE SONGS IT SINGS, THE CADDENCE OF THE SPOKEN WORDS IT SPEAKS WHEN DESCRIBING THE TROUBLES OF THE DAY, THE DRAMATIC EVENTS REQUIRED TO DO ORDINARY BUSINESS, THE FROZEN POSE OF ITS DANCERS EVEN AT REST, AND THE IMAGES THAT ADORN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WALLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE ARTS MAY NOT HAVE SOLUTIONS TO ALL THE PROBLEMS IN TODAY’S SOCIETY, BUT THE ARTS HAVE THE ENERGY AND POWER TO HELP IDENTIFY THINGS WORTHY OF CELEBRATING AND PRESERVING.THE ARTS CAN ALSO HELP REVEAL QUESTIONS WORTHY OF DISCUSSION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATION.

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PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT, PEOPLE OF COLOR AROUND THE GLOBE, AND THE MANY WELL-MEANING PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES ARE JOINING TOGETHER IN SEARCH OF SOLUTIONS TO AGE-OLD PROBLEMS THAT HAVE HINDERED ACHIEVING A FAIR AND JUST SOCIETY.ARTISTS ARE LENDING THEIR VISION AND CREATIVITY TO THE STRUGGLE.

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BLACK LIFE IN ALL OF ITS MANIFESTATIONS IS A WORTHY SUBJECT MATTER FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION BY AFRICAN AMERICAN VISUAL ARTISTS IN SEARCH OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY.

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SHANGO: CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ART AND CULTURE IS HONORED TO HAVE THE AES OHIO FOUNDATION AS THE PRIMARY FUNDER FOR THIS EXHIBIT WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE BLACK PALETTE ART GALLERY, THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUM OF ART, AND EBONNIA GALLERY.

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Sincerely,

​Willis 'Bing' Davis, Curator/Director

SHANGO: Center for the Study of African American Art and Culture

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STAFF: 

Rosalyn Green, Special Project Coordinator 

Audrey Davis, Special Project Assistant Coordinator

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DESIGN SERVICES:

Vtechgraphics LLC

Artwork Photography: Horace Dozier Sr.

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EXHIBIT SITE                                                                 EXHIBIT SITE 

EBONNIA GALLERY

1135 W. THIRD STREET

DAYTON, OHIO 45402

BLACK PALETTE ART GALLERY

1137 W. Third Street

 

OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 28, 2025

 

 

 

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