Sunday, February 10, 2019

Not Sure What I'm Looking At Here

Where: National Gallery of Art Library, East Building

When: closing April 12, 2019

This library display contains selections from the Evans-Tibbs Archive of African American Art.  The pieces are interesting and give the viewer an insight into the art world as experienced by African Americans in the late 20th century.  I particularly liked reading about Mr. Imagination, whose work has a lot in common with the tinfoil sculpture at the American Art Museum - my favorite Smithsonian object.  And now I know about Howardena Pindell, who railed against the lack of diversity in gallery and museum exhibits.  The Guerrilla Girls carry on her important work today.

My beef is that there's no explanation at the show itself of who Tibbs was or why his collection is important or how it came to the National Gallery.  You can learn about it online, but a couple of paragraphs at the display would have been helpful.

Verdict: If you are thinking of seeking out exhibits about African American history this February, put this on your list.  But look at the website before you go.

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