Local Arts Seen: Minnesota Black Fine Art Show @ the DAI

Carl Wesley--Temple #7

Last Wednesday the Duluth Art Institute hosted an opening reception for three new exhibitions. The Minnesota Black Fine Art Show is now on display in the John Steffl Gallery on the balcony above the Great Hall. Jean: The Inspiration Behind the Birkenstein Arts Movement is on display in the Morrison Gallery. And Claudia Faith's Family is in the Corridor Gallery.

Minnesota Black will be on display through January 2. The curated show features emerging and established black Minnesota artists of African descent. This is a show that has been traveling around the state with Duluth as its final stop. Many, if not mot most, of the artists were present to discuss their work at the reception. Examples of their work are shared here to give a flavor of what you will find. As I often say, for best results check it out in person.

A few local Duluth artists whom I have been following for many years have a work in this show. Carla Hamilton has several pieces. One of her quotes was used on the show's program. "While nobody's comfort is guaranteed, a new perspective certainly is."

Ivy Vainio--Breaking Free #2

Terresa Moses--Excuse Me Ladies

Carla Hamilton--Triangle Women

Terresa Moses--Gelevolution

Antowon Key--Red, White & Black #8

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Eyenga Bokamba--Great Migration

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Vern Northrup studies an artist's dyptich.

I sometimes like to take pictures of people looking at paintings because it provides a sense of scale. In this case it's a little more than that. I found the some abstract color of the paintings to have the feel of fire. Vern Northrup is a photographer who this past couple years has been showing his work, some of which features fire. 

In February last year Vern gave a talk regarding the manner in which traditional Native culture has utilized fire as a tool. The exhibition of Northrup's photographs in the AICHO Gallery was titled Ishkode, which means "Fire" in the native Ojibwe tongue. (See: The Role of Fire In Native Culture.)

Featured Artists

The following artists have work featured in this exhibit. 

Kprecia Ambers, Minneapolis; kpinspires.com
Eyenga Bokamba, Minneapolis; eyengabokambapaintings.com
Christopher E. Harrison, Twin Cities; harrisonartstudio.net
Carla Hamilton, Duluth
Bill Jeter, Minneapolis; homewoodstudios.com/artists/jeter.html
Antwon Key, Mankato; antwonkey.com
Terresa Moses, Duluth; terresahardaway.com
Theoneste Munyemana, Minneapolis
Ivy Vainio, Duluth
Carl Wesley, Minneapolis

Related Links

Catching Up With Artist Carla Hamilton

Talking Photography With Ivy Vainio