Kenkeleba house
Kenkeleba house and the Wilmer Jennings gallery

Long Journey Forward

LONG JOURNEY FORWARD
BLACK MEN IN PASSAGE
January 24 to March 9, 2024

 
 

Press Release
Reception
Events
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LONG JOURNEY FORWARD | BLACK MEN IN PASSAGE

From January 24 to March 9, 2024, the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba is pleased to present the work of forty-four photographers in the exhibition, Long Journey Forward | Black Men In Passage that is curated by award winning photographers Howard Cash and Jamel Shabazz. This exhibition is presented in association with the Black Photographer’s Collective. Long Journey Forward pays tribute to the late photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite (1938 to 2023), whose life work was a celebration of African and African American life and culture.

A selection of photographs by ­­emerging and well-known African American artists made between 1960 and 2023. The exhibition features Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Tau Battice, Rain Bermudez, Brian Branch-Price, John Brathwaite, Kwame Brathwaite, Kamel Brown, Larry Brown, Spencer Burnett, Howard Cash, Barron Claiborne, Rudy Collins, Christopher Cook, Adger Cowans, Malik Cumbo, Dee Dwyer, Donjai Gilmore, Malik James Glover, Bob Gore, Leroy Henderson, Kay Hickman, Melanie Hill, Raymond Holman Jr., Steven Irby, Debi Jackson, Glenda Jones, Lauri Lyons, Melvin McCray III, Lamar Metcalf, Elijah Mogoli, Bill Moore, Ace Murray, Mansa Mussa, Hakim Mutlaq, Malique Payne, Douglas Pierce, Herb Robinson, Jamel Shabazz, Coreen Simpson, Idris Solomon, Chuck Stewart, Crystal Wiley-Brown, Marcia Wilson, and Michael Young.

The tradition of Black photography dates back to the 19th century when Black photographer Jules Lion brought the daguerreotype to New Orleans in 1840. Abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, and later W.E.B. DuBois, championed the medium as a means to document an accurate portrayal of Black people against the backdrop of the racist stereotypes of slavery. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Kwame Brathwaite and his brother, Pan-Africanist Elombe Brath, coined the term Black is Beautiful, a universal statement of Black Pride that is essential in Kwame Brathwaite’s work. He is also credited with perfecting the photographic method that reproduces dark skin tones more accurately.

The photographers Long Journey Forward | Black Men In Passage have continued the tradition of chronicling Black life. Howard Cash states: The brilliant works of these photographers, both male and female, celebrate the humanity of Black men in realms of power, leadership and authority, encompassing underlying themes of love, pride, dignity, respect and honor; and ranging from fathers, essential emergency workers, political figures, sports legends, musicians, iconic rappers to international heads of state.

Many of the photographers in Long Journey Forward have also found a constant source of inspiration and motivation in a global vision. Their narratives include a selection of portraits of international heads of state as well as local community leaders, and many of the images reference the importance of protest as a catalyst for social change. The exhibit honors cultural heroes from the 1960s to the present day and includes distinguished writers and performing artists, Jazz musicians, Rhythm-and-Blues and Hip-Hop artists, as well as workers and those that provide essential services.

Fundamentally grounded in Black culture and history, the photographers consider the value of the Black Family and connections between the generations. Many photographs connect Black society and community, especially in ceremonies and spiritual gatherings. This exhibition features significant images that reference and carry a particularly deep reading of African and African American experiences.

Gallery Hours:  Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm
Location:  219 East Second Street at Avenue B
Opening Reception: Sunday, Sunday, January 28, 2024, 3-6 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, February 17, 2024, 2-4 pm

Kenkeleba programs are funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Ruth Foundation and many generous friends.

 

Installation Photos: Christian Carone
Invitation Design : Calo Rios
Reception / Events : Rodriguez Calero

 
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