Healing and Self-Preservation as Resistance, 2017, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY





Co-curated as Present Futures with Suhaly Bautista-Carolina, Teal Baskerville, Lynnette Miranda and Henry Murphy, this exhibition shared the work of Damali Abrams the Glitter Priestess, Curtis Bryant, Joseph A. Cuillier III, Dominique Hunter, Llucy Llong, Tsedaye Makonnen and Wi-Moto Nyoka. It was presented in two parts: a group exhibition at Gnarly Vines and a one-night performance and time-based art series at Pratt Institute.

Each artist in Present Futures: Healing and Self-Preservation as Resistance collects information and knowledge associated with the fragmented experiences of the African Diaspora, and recontextualizes familial histories, pop culture, and sociopolitical commentary to enact strategies of healing and self-preservation. Furthermore, they assert that healing and celebration are necessary forms of resistance against the implicit violence and oppressive structures found in everyday life. Present Futures: Healing and Self-Preservation as Resistance believes that a sanctuary of self-care is critical for practitioners of color doing the prolonged work of fighting against injustice and making lasting change.




Mark