Nurturing Positivity and Strength
Kent State Art Exhibition Explores the Role of Black Fathers in America
The School of Art Collection and Galleries at Kent State University presents “Nurturing Positivity and Strength,” an exhibition that features artists Donald Black Jr. (Cleveland, Ohio) and Dáreece Walker (Brooklyn, New York). Photographs and drawings by the artists portray Black fathers spending time with and caring for their children in typical everyday scenes, providing a window into the world through their own unique experiences. The exhibition will be on view January 21 through March 13, 2021 at the KSU Downtown Gallery in Kent. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Photographer Donald Black Jr.’s work explores family relationships, racism, environment, and identity. Storytelling and technical process is key in Black’s work, which largely consists of black-and-white photography, video and installation.
“Simply put, I love the experience of being Black, but this shit is hard. Photography has helped me find a balance with this conflict,” said Black in an artist statement.
Dáreece Walker is a visual artist who creates figurative narrative paintings, drawings, and sculpture that combine race, identity and religion into socio political responses.
“This work is meant to celebrate the courage and strength it takes to be a father, and represent real black men in everyday life. While celebrating black masculinity, the work simultaneously protests the lack of accurate representation of black males in media and art history in America, and champions the preciousness of black youth,” said Dáreece Walker in an artist statement.
“In planning this exhibition, I wanted to highlight two Black artists who are working to express everyday aspects from their own lives that might be easily overlooked. It’s easy to dismiss the mundane or the commonplace, but these artists have a unique ability to capture moments and hold them up to the light for all of us to see, creating a more accurate representation of Black fathers in America” said Anderson Turner, gallery director and curator.
The KSU Downtown Gallery is located at 141 East Main Street in Kent, Ohio.
Gallery Hours: Monday -Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
(10-11 reserved for our at-risk guests, please)
Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Closed on Sundays
Artist Websites:
Donald Black Jr. - https://www.donaldblackjr.com/
Dáreece Walker - https://www.dareecejwalker.com/
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Media Contact: Roza Maille, Marketing Assistant, School of Art, rmaille1@kent.edu, 330-672-2260
Images: (left) Donald Black Jr., Daddy's Girl, Photograph on wood, 2017; (right) Dareece Walker, Black Fathers Matter, Series III, Drawing on cardboard, 2020.