African American Artists at the Venice Biennale
At the 58th Venice Biennale, two African American artists—Kahlil Joseph and Arthur Jafa—presented works addressing racial issues. Joseph, from a bourgeois background, showed BLKNWS, a split-screen video collage of news clips featuring Black Americans, set against images of Black soldiers from WWI and nuns. Jafa, who won the Golden Lion, displayed Love Is The Message, The Message Is Death and White Album, using found footage to contrast Black and white experiences, referencing Malcolm X and Amiri Baraka. His installation Big Wheel features giant truck wheels covered in chains, evoking violence and manual labor. Both artists critique systemic racism and media representation.
Key facts
- Kahlil Joseph and Arthur Jafa are African American artists at the 58th Venice Biennale.
- Joseph's BLKNWS is a continuous stream of news clips featuring Black Americans on split-screen.
- Jafa won the Golden Lion at the Biennale.
- Jafa's Love Is The Message, The Message Is Death is a video of social critique.
- Jafa's White Album contrasts Black and white universes using web, TV, and photo materials.
- Big Wheel features giant truck wheels covered in chains.
- Jafa's work references Malcolm X and Amiri Baraka.
- The Biennale is held in Venice, Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Kahlil Joseph
- Arthur Jafa
- Beyoncé
- Malcolm X
- Amiri Baraka
- Dylann Roof
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy