Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics

Los Angeles County Museum of Art debuts some of its latest acquisitions with an exhibition that features nearly 70 works across sculpture, painting, photography, works on paper, and time-based media.

By examining the aesthetic choices of around 60 artists working in Africa, Europe, and the Americas, Imagining Black Diasporas seeks to broaden the understanding of the term ‘diaspora’ by taking its meaning past the limiting notion of displacement. The exhibition illustrates the dynamism of diaspora as the concept has continued to evolve with the Black experience.

A part of LACMA‘s collection since 2008, El Anatsui’s ‘Fading Scroll, 2007’ is an ideal selection for the show. Also featured are the works of established creators such as Igshaan Adams, Mark Bradford, Sanford Biggers, Nick Cave, Deana Lawson, Ibrahim Mahama, Abdoulaye Ndoye, Wangechi Mutu, and Lorna Simpson with the works of emerging and mid-career artists like Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Josué Azor, Samuel de Saboia, Susana Pilar Delahante Matienzo, Chioma Ebinama, Chelsea Odufu, Zohra Opoku, and Alberta Whittle.