Newton, MA – A compelling exhibition, INTERCESSION, showcasing the diverse talents of Boston-area African American photographers, is gracing the New Art Corridor Gallery at 245 Walnut Street. Opened on MLK Day, Monday, January 15, and continuing through March 3, 2024, the exhibit promises an exploration of light as a medium to connect, provoke, and disrupt.
Born out of contemplation on individual and collective empowerment, “INTERCESSION” originated as a reaction to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The exhibition delves into inquiries about navigating uncertainties in our understanding of self and surroundings. It raises pivotal questions such as, ‘How can we communicate when both speaking and remaining silent pose equal volatility?’ The photographic expressions of Alonso Nichols, Philip C. Keith, Sam Williams, and Lauren Miller, showcased at the New Art Center’s Corridor at Trio Gallery in Newton, Massachusetts, explore these inquiries through three distinct forms of artistic practice: documenting, projecting personhood, and capturing the essence of spatial memory.
The Artists talks on Thursday, February 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, will provide an opportunity to delve into the artists’ interpretations and insights.
Reggie Woolery, Director of Education at New Art and curator of the exhibition, chose the theme of “intercession” deliberately. “I wanted an expansive theme that could speak to the times but also allow space for the ways artists engage the tension between forms, between people, and within the self,” Woolery explains. The works on display aim to act or interpose on behalf of the viewer, bridging gaps and mediating conversations.
Beyond contemporary photography, the exhibition will feature historical images capturing the lives of prominent African Americans in Newton, MA, during the 1800s. This inclusion adds a valuable layer to the narrative, grounding the exhibit in both the present and the past.
INTERCESSION is part of the New Art Center’s BIPOC Curatorial Program, a platform empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to curate exhibitions that spark dialogue and share their unique perspectives. Previous exhibitions in the series, such as “Guess Who I Saw Today” and “ASWAT : أصوات,” have successfully showcased the richness and diversity of voices within marginalized communities.
The New Art Corridor Gallery receives support from Mass Cultural Council, Village Bank, and Mark Development. The BIPOC Curatorial Program is backed by Newton Cultural Council, Village Bank, and Harmony Foundation, emphasizing a commitment to fostering inclusivity in the arts.
For more information on the BIPOC Curatorial Program or other New Art Center exhibition programs, visit the website at newartcenter.org/exhibitions or contact Lennon Hernandez Wolcott, Exhibitions Coordinator, at (617) 964-3424 or via email at [email protected]. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the transformative power of African American photography at INTERCESSION – an exhibition that transcends boundaries and illuminates untold stories.
