Gibbes Museum of Art Explores Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence
From October 16, 2026, to May 9, 2027, the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, will showcase 'Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence.' This exhibition explores the ways African American artisans utilized their creativity and skills to claim agency and seek liberation, spanning from the American Revolution to today. Featuring over 30 items—including furniture, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, tools, and personal accessories—crafted by both free and enslaved individuals, the display emphasizes how artistry served as a vehicle for asserting identity and independence amidst oppression. Organized in collaboration with the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum and the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive, it encourages a reevaluation of Black artisans' significant yet often overlooked contributions to America's cultural and material heritage.
Key facts
- The exhibition 'Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence' is on view at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
- The exhibition runs from 16 October 2026 to 9 May 2027.
- It spans the American Revolution to the present and features more than 30 objects.
- Objects include furniture, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, tools, and personal accessories.
- Works were created by both free and enslaved craftspeople.
- The exhibition foregrounds recognised makers alongside those whose names have been lost to history.
- It is organised by the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in partnership with the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive.
- The exhibition challenges narratives that have overlooked Black artisans' creative and cultural legacies.
Entities
Institutions
- Gibbes Museum of Art
- Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
- Black Craftspeople Digital Archive
Locations
- Charleston
- South Carolina
- USA