Reclaiming My Time
Exhibition at Smithsonian National African American Museum of History and Culture
May 2024-Ongoing
The museum has opened a new space in its Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery. “Reclaiming My Time,” my Black Disabled Lives Matter Symbol is featured as a print alongside other designer’s work! Truly an honor to have my symbol included!
The newly installed “Reclaiming My Time” display features work by contemporary Black designers that engage ideas about cultural heritage, bodies at rest, and histories of labor and leisure.
With visionaries such as interior designer Sheila Bridges, furniture designer Stephen Burks, and graphic designer Gail Anderson, among others, this display presents the varied directions in which Black creators are leading design fields today. Their inspirations range from desires for luxury and comfort to practical considerations about form and function. These designers are also storytellers, weaving new narratives into objects, like seating, that we use daily.
By featuring the museum’s growing collection of seating design, this exhibition also highlights the importance of taking time for rest and restoration. Our resilience and rejuvenation depend on our ability to rest well.
This exhibition is generously supported by CBRE.
Photos by Mona Makela/NMAAHC
I’m reposting a bit of helpful text and video via my design sis Dian Holton that provides a description about the exhibition!
‘The first exhibition dedicated to contemporary Black designers, is open today, May 31. I’m so excited to be one of the designers included in this exhibition! Our art and design holds space for ideas related to rest, and histories of labor and leisure, the exhibition includes 15 objects from the museum’s collection, spanning seating, lighting, photography, and graphic design. Inspired by Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ phrase, “Reclaiming My Time” became an anthem for those refusing to let their time be misspent.’
“Reclaiming My Time” connects the concepts of resistance and resilience with rest in Black communities, showcasing curated seating and graphic material by designers. Through objects and images, it examines rest as a component of resilience. This 300-square-foot gallery within “Reckoning” focuses on chairs and stools, as well as the ideas about rest and restoration. It will remain on view for one year before rotating displays related to design and architecture. The space includes books related to design, rest, and self-reflection, such as @aphrochic’s Black home and @museummammy / @jennydeluxe Black Futures book.
CONGRATS to the amazing and supportive curator @michelleinthemix for impressive and focused exhibit. So honored to be in a show with such an incredible line up: @gailycurl , @hadiyawilliams , @mickalenethomas , @vocaltype.co , @indoorcatgirl , @andreapippins @sheldonascott @jomotariku @asherald @thenapministry