Faith Ringgold captured by John Edmonds.
Image courtesy of the artist.
When the Studio Museum in Harlem opened its doors in 1968, there were few art institutions that would seriously engage with the work of Black artists. Now, it is one of the premier venues to support Black artwork with all the care and passion it deserves. In this essay for Harper’s Bazaar, Salamishah Tillet talks about the momentous artists and shows that have been presented at the Studio Museum while documenting how moments of political unrest like our own have been the foundation for such Black cultural spaces.
“What our founders were creating was very much a bold experiment around the redefinition of the museum. This idea of calling the Studio Museum a ‘museum’ was about expanding what a museum is and can be.” - Thelma Golden
