Fred Wilson's First French Exhibition at Galerie JGM
Fred Wilson, an influential artist in African American culture, will showcase his inaugural solo exhibition in France at Galerie JGM in Paris, running from January 15 to March 6, 2010. Curated by Ami Barak, the exhibition highlights Wilson's exploration of how museums reinforce racial stereotypes. Notable works include a bronze bust of Ota Benga, a Congolese pygmy, and 'The Mete of the Muse,' which juxtaposes a black Egyptian goddess with a white figure. A rotating crown representing Queen Victoria critiques colonialism, while a display of African and Caribbean flags challenges colonial color symbolism. Additionally, 'Melt-Spurt' pays homage to Matthew Henson, the African American co-discoverer of the North Pole. This exhibition seeks to familiarize the French audience with Wilson’s work and inspire discussions on post-colonial themes.
Key facts
- Fred Wilson's first exhibition in France at Galerie JGM, Paris, from January 15 to March 6, 2010.
- Curated by Ami Barak.
- Wilson represented the USA at the 2003 Venice Biennale.
- Works include a bronze bust of Ota Benga, a Congolese pygmy exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
- The bust is based on a plaster cast from the American Museum of Natural History.
- Ota Benga was shown in a cage at a zoo and committed suicide in 1916.
- The Mete of the Muse pairs a black Egyptian goddess with a white antique figure.
- A rotating crown of Queen Victoria with gray pearls and black diamonds critiques colonialism.
- African and Caribbean flags are reduced to black outlines on white to denounce colonial color symbolism.
- Melt-Spurt is a glass iceberg with black splatter referencing Matthew Henson, black co-discoverer of the North Pole in 1909.
Entities
Artists
- Fred Wilson
- David Hammons
- Renee Green
- Kerry James Marshall
- Ota Benga
- Matthew Henson
- Queen Victoria
Institutions
- Galerie JGM
- American Museum of Natural History
- Dartmouth's Hood Museum
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Paris
- France
- United States
- Venice
- New Hampshire
- Saint Louis
- Congo
- India
- Africa
- Caribbean
- North Pole
Sources
- artpress —