Friday May 1 was the opening of Unboxed: Black Fathers Are Present, an exhibit of artworks by Dáreece Walker. The room filled quickly with visitors who came for the art, others were following the rapper Mann, others wandered in from the neighborhood, and a lot stayed longer than they probably expected.
There were kids of all ages, moving through the space with a curiosity that set the tone. People took their time. They weren’t just looking, they were taking the art in, trying to understand how the work was made, what the materials were, how the images came together. The cardboard, the cuts, the layering all sparked conversation.
What stood out most was how the work informed the whole space. The show is a joyous celebration of the Black fathers in our communities, in our families, in our lives. The images of Black fathers and their children created an intimacy, and sense of tenderness and protection. Our nonprofit Gallery has for mission to offer an experience of visual art that is intimate and inviting. We were happy!
The artist talk with Dáreece J. Walker held everyone’s attention, and was a great response to the wonder raised by the body of work. It wasn’t overly formal, but much more like an open conversation. He spoke about process, about becoming a father himself – and his adorable son was there too! He related how certain experiences stayed with him and shaped the work. People asked thoughtful questions, and he answered with much intelligence and charm.
After the talk, we enjoyed the subtle, compelling music of the rapper Mann from Philadelphia. Dáreece even joined in on the mic!
It ended the way our openings ofen do, with people still talking, still looking, lingering and not quite ready to leave. It makes us proud.
Thank you to the artist Dáreece Walker, to Mann for his soulful music, and to all the wonderful, vibrant people who came and made the evening so special.
