Black History Month: Titus Kaphar
If I’ve come away with any insight writing this Black History Month series, it’s this: the more you look, the more you will find greatness. Let’s talk about:
In every Titus Kaphar painting I’ve seen, he asks a singular question: “Who’s missing from this story?” My first exposure to his work was seeing “Behind the Myth of Benevolence.” If the work asks who is missing from Thomas Jefferson’s story, the easy answer is Sally Hemings. A more nuanced answer might acknowledge the (gaping) holes in American history where Black people would be. Other works by Kaphar also resonate with me for these reasons:
The dignity with which he portrays Black people
His combinations of oil painting with other media, including tar
His willingness to cut and otherwise “damage” the canvases he paints.
It should come as no surprise that Kaphar is a MacArthur “genius grant” winner. He’s co-created an art incubator program to mentor and support Black and Brown artists. He’s also ventured into film, directing the documentary “Shut Up and Paint.” Art news outlets say he’s directed an upcoming feature film, “Exhibiting Forgiveness.” Guess where you’ll find me when it comes to Seattle or a streaming service.
Join me for a look at another groundbreaking artist tomorrow…
Seattle Art Fair and/or Out of Sight
If you're up for a stunning array of artworks, all within three or four blocks, head to Pioneer Square and CenturyLink Field. You'll need the weekend to absorb Out of Sight and the Seattle Art Fair.
Seattle mayor Ed Murray tries out Micah Ganske's VR piece at the 101/Exhibit booth, Seattle Art Fair.
If you've never been to a high-end art gallery, the kind where the art is priced higher than a Honda Civic, the Seattle Art Fair is quite the sight. Most galleries at the Fair are the big dogs of the fine art world: New York's Gagosian Gallery (which has other locations too), for example, as well as galleries from London, Tokyo and Seoul. Some words that come to mind about the Fair:
Glossy.
BIIIIIIG.
"Eternity-Aphrodite of Knidos, Tang Dynasty Sitting Buddha," Xu Zhen (James Cohan Gallery)
Sometimes perplexing.
Seattle Art Fair-goers puzzle over "Eulogy" by Patricia Piccinini (Jenkins Johnson Gallery).
Funny thing is, some of the art at Out of Sight -- a satellite exhibit of Seattle-area artists -- also inspire the same descriptions: Sometimes perplexing...
"To our scattered bodies go," Casey Curran (Roq La Rue Gallery)
BIIIIIIG.
"Ex Image," Damien Gilley
Glossy. Yeah, Seattle can do glossy.
"Black Bear," Justin Beckman (Roq La Rue Gallery)
I noticed some of the work here is edgier. You won't see anything like C. Davida Ingram's "Object Lesson -- Where Can My Black Ass Be Safe" or the anti-Damien Hirst piece (didn't see a wall card for information).
I'm enjoying both, but of course I'm rooting for the home team. Speaking of which, it doesn't get any more home team than Art of the City.
This is your friendly reminder that two of my works will be in the Tashiro Kaplan Building -- for one day only! So I'm counting myself part of the Seattle + art + fair experience. If you see no other art this weekend, take the bus down to Pioneer Square and see mine!