THOMAS F. JAMES

A single object has the ability to inform us of significant moments throughout history. Some objects are used to physically alter the world, while others are used to culturally shape the world. Both sorts of items take us on journeys that can be bodily, philosophical, and/or spiritual. Rooted in Voyage: Connectivity Through Objects investigates the ways in which in animate objects help us to illustrate our culture and document the history of now. The artworks on display portray meaningful objects, encapsulating their significance to our existence. By creating original relics that document Black experiences, the artists in this exhibition serve as archivists. Their work showcases how objects can serve as a tool to teach usabout the nuances within our past. This knowledge helps to inform our present, which allows us to imagine an unfamiliar future. Tangible materials such as synthetic hair, clothing, and basketballs are used in select art works to create objects that explore common experiences amongst generations of Black people. Murjoni Merriweather’s “braided” and “grillz” sculptures showcase the ways in which Black people of today style and adorn themselves. Brandon Donahue uses found basketballs to create floral arrangements that examine the deeper implications of popular sports and the duality of joy and exploitation associated with them. Through use of materials such as Jabari Jefferson’s book pages, Walter Cruz’s airplane window,  and Wesley Clark’s metallic urethane paint, the exhibiting artists are able to depict intangible constructs such as government structures, financial systems, and intrinsic values - all of which hold significant power over our societies. Objects have the ability to provide context to our realities. This leads to provoking thoughts, adeeper questioning of what we think we know, and hopefully impactful comprehensions that can lead to inner change. The ways in which we can facilitate the education of ourselves and othersthrough these inanimate and intangible objects hold the keys to our future.

- Thomas F. James, Curator