Grounded in Grain, Washed in the Water: Ancestral Narratives in the American South

The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art has joined forces with the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture to showcase 'Grounded in Grain, Washed in the Water,' an exhibition curated by Lauren Jackson Harris. This display includes works by Maya Freelon, Corey Alston, christa david, and Derrick Beasley, delving into ancestral stories and the profound connections between land, water, memory, and Black existence in the American South. It highlights the transmission of ancestral wisdom through generations, asserting that the histories rooted in Southern soil and waterways are dynamic sources of knowledge influencing modern Black life. The collaboration emphasizes that history extends beyond archives, as the Avery maintains records while artists bring to life narratives that transcend written documentation. Through various mediums like basketry, collage, sculpture, painting, and immersive installations, the artists illustrate the importance of honoring and nurturing memory. The Halsey Institute, a non-collecting museum at the College of Charleston School of the Arts, offers a space for innovative visual artists, with free exhibitions open to the public. For further details, visit halsey.charleston.edu.