PITTSBURGH, PA, July 3, 2024 – Due to popular demand, August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) has extended the exhibit Xippi, Heritage, and Metamorphosis: Voices in West African Art through Sunday, July 14, in the Claude Worthington Benedum Gallery.
Curated by Janice Bond and organized by Kimberly Jacobs for AWAACC, the exhibit features 12 artists with roots in six different countries in Western Africa including Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana. These contemporary artists’ styles are not united by anything other than the geography of their ancestors. Their methods and media range wildly from abstract painting, portraiture, to photography, multimedia installations and drawing. Each of these artists is inspired by their own experiences traveling and their visions of the world. By presenting them together, AWAACC does not attempt to lump them into one category or provide a theme. Instead, the exhibit celebrates each artist’s individuality and exceptional talent. It offers a fresh perspective on African art that could be considered contemporary yet may indeed point to futurism.
Don’t miss the following events as Xippi, Heritage, and Metamorphosis: Voices in West African Art winds down:
July 9, 1:00-2:00 pm – Artist Talk at Instagram.com/augustwilsonculturalcenter
July 10, 1:00-2:00 pm – Artist Talk at Instagram.com/augustwilsonculturalcenter
July 11, 6:00-9:00 pm – Closing Reception
July 14, 5:00 pm – Exhibit Closes
Featured Artists include: Adebayo Bolaji, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola, Austin Uzor, Badara Ndiaye, Greg Noire, Ify Chiejina, Jamal Ademola, Mia Ghogho, Modou Dieng, Ozioma Onuzulike and Tomiwa Arobieke.
“I am thrilled to unveil an exhibition that transcends borders and expectations, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of West African creativity,” Curator Bond. “The intention is clear: to showcase the rich cultural heritage and dynamic evolution of art from Dakar to Nigeria, from Ghana to beyond. With each stroke of color and texture, these artworks speak volumes, echoing the voices of their creators and the stories of their ancestors. Our excitement lies in the opportunity to challenge preconceived notions and offer a fresh perspective on African art, one that embraces futurism and celebrates individuality. We aim to ignite curiosity and spark conversations, inviting viewers to journey beyond the confines of a singular narrative and explore the diverse expressions of West African artists. Through Xippi, Heritage, and Metamorphosis, we invite you to experience the transformative power of art, to witness the beauty of cultural exchange, and to celebrate the resilience and creativity of the human spirit.”
The exhibits Abebui Adekai: Proverb Boxes for a Life Well Traveled by Jacob Paa Joe, Jr. in the Victoria Gallery and Mikael Chukwuma Owunna: Limitless Africans in the Yvonne and Christine Cook Family Regional Gallery also will close on Sunday, July 14.
About August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, please visit awaacc.org.
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a non-profit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s cultural district that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the non-profit organization welcomes more than 119,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers speaker series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today. www.awaacc.org.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT: Carolyn McClair
(212) 721-3341 | Cmcclair@awaacc.org