In the Twin Cities art scene this weekend, three exhibits highlight the Black experience through printmaking, music and migration. Woodcut prints illustrate racial violence; paintings, sculptures, photographs and archival objects explore Black migration; and the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s “Giants” series, presented with Public Functionary, celebrates Twin Cities musicians and visual artists.
Printmaker reckons with Black history
This year marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder — a moment that ignited a global reckoning and reshaped an entire generation of artists, including Minnesota printmaker Jasper Duberry.
“As a Black man in America, you hear hundreds of stories of violence but that moment woke a lot of us up,” Duberry said. “I kind of look at my art as diary entries. It was just me getting my thoughts and emotions out.”
Duberry had stepped away from pursuing art after graduating from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., to focus on his career in retail. But Floyd’s death pulled him back.
His latest exhibit, “From the Back of the Bus” at Juxtaposition Arts explores the Black experience through black-and-white woodcut prints.
“Printmaking was something that was very prominent in our history as Black people in America because of its accessibility,” Duberry said. “You might not have been able to get the fanciest paint or oil pastel sets, but everyone had access to a piece of wood and a knife.”
Several pieces reflect historical and contemporary struggles for racial justice, including references to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, literacy tests and the legacy of civil rights activist Fred Hampton, who led the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.
Duberry’s piece “Mortal Man Part Two,” inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s song “Mortal Man,” depicts a Black man ascending with butterfly wings.
“It symbolizes the caterpillar trying to grow in a very harsh environment,” he said. “I was reflecting not only on George Floyd himself but what that moment sparked for our nation.”
“It’s about bringing awareness to these topics,” he added. “I try not to make it too literal. I want people to ask questions and to walk away learning something they didn’t know before.”
Date: Through May 1.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or by appointment (contactus@juxtaposition.org).
Location: Juxtaposition Arts, 1108 W. Broadway, Minneapolis
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit juxtapositionarts.org/events/from-the-back-of-the-bus
Giants among us: Local Black artists take over the MIA
The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Meet at Mia program is partnering with the artist-led gallery Public Functionary to present “Giants,” a five-week Thursday night series with live music from local Black artists, experimental films by emerging Black filmmakers, Twin Cities food trucks, and tours led by Public Functionary’s curatorial cohort.
This Thursday’s lineup includes performances by rapper, singer and producer Zora and R&B artist MMYYKK; DJ sets by DJ Advance, and DJ Q Bear; poetry by Nyah Estelle; and art projections by Booscapes. Photographer Bearboi will host a custom photo booth, and visual artist Silent Fox will lead an “I Am Collage” workshop. Artists Yonci Jameson and Leslie Barlow will offer informal tours of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s personal art collection.
Future events will feature food from Minneapolis’ ParraLily and Que Tal, as well as St. Paul’s West Indies Soul Food. On April 3, filmmakers Meti Mekonen, Wasima Farah, Bakar Elmi, and Love, Ulysses will be featured in the short film showcase “On the Shoulders of Giants.” On April 17, artists Hooks, Sol Salvation Choir and Greg Grease will perform.
Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis
Cost: Free. Registration required for panel discussions.
For more information: Visit new.artsmia.org/event/pf-meet-at-mia-giants
Meditations on migration
The University of St. Thomas’ John P. Monahan Gallery presents “Channeling Blacks & Blues,” an exhibit by Seitu K. Jones that explores Black boat culture through sculpture, painting, photographs, drawings and archival objects. Curated by mixed media artist Ego Ahaiwe Sowinski and Alexandra Nicome, the exhibit reflects Jones’ decades-long study of boat building traditions in West Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the United States.
Jones draws on folk traditions rooted in Blues music, using the call-and-response structure to shape his artistic process. His work highlights boats as symbols of migration and resilience, while also addressing environmental issues.
The gallery will host a curator talk with Sowinski and Nicome from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on April 4 and an artist talk with Jones at 6 p.m. on May 1.
Date: Through May 23.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Location: University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave. St. Paul
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit themonahan.org/channeling-blacks-blues.
