
We. The Culture: Works by the Eighteen Art Collective
Description
Description
The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is proud to present We. The Culture: Works by The Eighteen Art Collective presented by Aaron Wealth Advisors, Gary & Hannah Hirschberg. The Eighteen Art Collective was formed in the summer of 2020 after 18 Indianapolis-based Black artists were commissioned to paint a 30-foot tall Black Lives Matter street mural on historic Indiana Avenue. The Collective's launch was supported by GANGGANG, an Indianapolis-based cultural development firm that works to bring more beauty, equity, and culture to cities. The Eighteen were brought together by a shared moment of activism, but their artistic practices are diverse in concept, intent, and medium. Artworks in the exhibition address subjects as varied as religion and spirituality, queer identity, joy, hip-hop culture, materiality, art history, nature, and social justice. While the exhibition showcases the collective, its goal is to introduce the artists as individuals and creative professionals beyond their roles in the street mural, and to highlight the immense pool of artistic talent active in Indianapolis. The Eighteen Art Collective are: Amiah "Mimsy" Mims, Ashley Nora, Pope Gaskine, Wavy Blayne McCrary, Deonna Craig, ess mckee, FITZ, Gary Gee, Harriet Watson, Israel Solomon, Dr. Jarrod Nicholas Dortch, John G. Moore, Jr., Kenneth Hordge (FINGERCREATIONS), Kevin West, Kyng Rhodes, Rae Parker, Rebecca Robinson, Shamira Wilson/ We. The Culture celebrates a vibrant, joyful, and inclusive future. Guests to the exhibition will be encouraged to identify their role in the fight toward equity in the arts, and channel their emotional experience into behavioral change. We. The Culture: Works by The Eighteen Art Collective is guest curated by GANGGANG and The Eighteen Art Collective. The Eighteen Art Collective is a group of 18 local Black artists who realized the 'Black Lives Matter' street mural on Indiana Avenue in August 2020. They are united by their mission to collaborate on the betterment of Black creatives and the community that they serve.