Witness is a series of window activations presented by Black Artist Research Space in preparation for the opening of our physical project site and exhibition space, located at 426 W. Franklin Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Witness invites passers-by and the local community into the practice of Baltimore-based and other U.S-based emerging artists. Viewers are encouraged to observe the works with consideration to the climate in which Black artists are existing, navigating, and creating. By openly engaging with and bearing witness to the work of Black creatives, viewers more pointedly gain an understanding of the societal conditions and historical influences that impact the work of Black artists today. With the local and looming gentrification of Baltimore City along with historical Black communities and cities across the nation, it is important to center not only Black artists, but the histories and personal experiences influencing the work of Black artists.
FEATURED ARTIST
LINNEA POOLE
On view: December 2, 2021 - December 17, 2021
Windows: 426 W. FRANKLIN STREET, BALTIMORE, MD
tensions versus the universe of vulnerability is a mixed-media installation by arts practitioner Linnea Poole that explores the intricacies of mourning and vulnerability along with the subsequent tensions that arise along the journey to healing. Through her fiber work, Poole directly inquires and investigates the notion that “As we begin to heal and patch up wounds, how can we open up our hearts to be vulnerable again?”
Viewers are called to recognize the work as a visual representation of the tensions that exist, while also actively feeling deeply into those tensions as they intertwine within the fiber materials. tensions versus the universe of vulnerability is the inaugural activation in the Witness window series curated by Black Artist Research Space.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Linnea Poole is an arts practitioner who focuses on womanist storytelling and is a strong advocate for community education. A Baltimore native, she grew up dancing throughout the streets of East Baltimore to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Arts with a focus in Theatre from Coppin State University. During her undergraduate career, Linnea explored all elements of black theater history and was birthed into a true thespian that starred in several stage performances. These experiences have led her to teach various art disciplines and art activism curriculum to students across the DC, MD, VA corridor. Linnea also earned her Master of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art where she is now an Adjunct Professor.
To learn more about Linnea and her work visit: https://linneapoole.com/
emmanuel massillon
On view: December 20, 2021 - January 7, 2022
Windows: 426 W. FRANKLIN STREET, BALTIMORE, MD
EMMANUEL MASSILLON, Identity Crisis, 2021, wood, metal nails, found materials, 62 x 14 x 15 inches (Detail image)
Identity Crisis is a sculpture by Emmanuel Massillon that considers the idea of “double consciousness,” a term first published by W.E.B Du Bois in his 1903 The Souls of Black Folk. The title serves as a literary device, while the sculpture, made of wood, metal nails, and found sculptural materials, explores the internal conflicts experienced by Africans living in America. Through language and construction, Massillon conveys the challenges affixed to a person questioning their sense of self or place in the world.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Emmanuel Massillon (b. 1998 in Washington D.C.) is an African-American of Haitian descent and conceptual artist who works in several mediums. Massillon's upbringing in the inner city of Washington D.C. shapes the unique narrative that he strives to convey through his work, which is introducing others to new ideas by creating work from day-to-day life to politically charged topics. Massillon uses assemblage, gimmicks, and puns to convey ideas to his viewers in a simple yet evoking manner. Massillon currently attends The School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City and is pursuing a BFA in Fine Arts.
To learn more about Emmanuel and his work visit: https://www.emmanuel-massillon.com/
HASEF
On view: December 20, 2021 - January 7, 2022
Windows: 426 W. FRANKLIN STREET, BALTIMORE, MD
HASEF, Moments, 2021, pastel, acrylic on panel, 48 x 48 inches
Hasef paints narratives of Black men with their children to rectify far more popular negative depictions of Black people, specifically Black men, in media. Moments, 2021 depicts hair accentuated by glitter, while Backyard BBQ, 2021 captures a fun everyday moment shared between father and son. In both works, Hasef draws the viewers' attention to prominent features in the figures by accenting them with bright colors utilizing pastels and other mediums.
HASEF, Backyard BBQ, 2021, pastel, acrylic on panel, 30 x 40 inches
Image courtesy of the artist.
Hasef earned his B.A. in Sociology and Art from California State University, Bakersfield, completed his certification in Art & Marketing from Sotheby’s in London, and continued his studies at Claremont Graduate University where he received his MFA in Studio Art. In addition to working as an artist in Los Angeles, Hasef is passionate about educating both young artists and art novices. He currently teaches art and offers art services from his Art Studio in South Los Angeles.
To learn more about Hasef and his work visit: https://www.hasefart.com/
Rebecca marimutu
On view: January 10, 2022 - January 24, 2022
Windows: 426 W. FRANKLIN STREET, BALTIMORE, MD
REBECCA MARIMUTU, Portraits Adhered #3, collage mounted on board, 24" x 36", 2021
Rebecca Marimutu is an interdisciplinary artist and photographer working to reimagine the practice of portraiture. Born and raised in New York City and informed by critical race theory and contemporary discussions around the dimensionality of the photograph, she works by concealing, obscuring, and protecting that which lies within the frame. Her work explores self, identity, and material tactility through paper sculpture, collage, and audio-visual abstraction. She received her MFA degree in Photographic and Electronic Media at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2020 and her BS in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Albany with a minor in Studio Art.
She is currently an adjunct professor at Towson University and Loyola University.
Her work has been shown at the Waller Gallery, The Fredericks Art Council, and The Black Woman's Museum in Baltimore, MD.
Image courtesy of the artist.
For more information regarding Rebecca and her work visit: https://marimutu.com/
Gabriel ‘CHUKS’ Amadi-Emina
ON VIEW: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - February 8, 2022
Window Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - Sunset
Chukwudumebi Gabriel Amadi-Emina is a Nigerian-American contemporary photographic & video artist currently residing in Baltimore, Maryland. By combining his Nigerian roots with his ongoing experience as a black body in the United States of America, Gabriel creates photographic narratives embedded with performance & ritual. His photographs are narratives that reveal moments of those whose entireties result from the fusion of both their African-ness and Blackness.
He interweaves pan-African perspective, effects, and spirituality into western mythologies, allegories, and misconceptions of the black body through portraiture of himself and others. Gabriel sees the body as a conduit of truth to self and space. He navigates his personal, intimate moments with blackness and challenges how it is perceived spiritually, mentally, and physically.
For more information regarding Rebecca and her work visit: https://marimutu.com/
Esteban Whiteside
ON VIEW: Thursday, February 10, 2022 - February 24, 2022
Window Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - Sunset
Esteban Whiteside is a self-taught artist living in DC, originally from Asheville, NC. His work exists at the intersection of street art and social and political commentary. The artworks are colorful, often utilizing primary colors as an access point to explore social-political topics and everyday challenges faced by minorities. Whiteside paints aspects of America that mainstream media refuses to talk about from diverse perspectives, stating, "I aim for my work to build up the oppressed and shame the oppressors." He works in playful mediums and gestures which evoke a child-like understanding of challenging topics.
About five years ago, Esteban wanted to give his girlfriend, now wife, a gift for her birthday but didn't have any money, so he decided to paint her something. Thru that painting, he discovered a love for painting and began creating and learning about art almost every day after. In the beginning, Esteban painted primarily abstract work, but after the death of Michael Brown, his art took a very different direction. Esteban began addressing social and political issues and continues to address those issues predominantly today in his work. His biggest influences are Romare Bearden, Emory Douglas, Milton Avery. Esteban has held two solo exhibitions at Homme Gallery in Washington, DC.
For more information regarding Estéban and his work visit: https://www.instagram.com/esteban.whiteside/?hl=en