From the museum blog:
Cassel Oliver curated The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Impulse, VMFA’s groundbreaking art exhibition that investigates southern Black culture’s influences on American art, music, and other forms of cultural expression. While the exhibition, which opened to the public today focuses on the past 100 years, it acknowledges centuries of artistic contribution and influence. And as Cassel Oliver explains, “It is that persistence of traditions that evolve with each successive generation. . . . While it comes out of an African American expression, it really frames our collective expression
As a member I was able to view this incredible show yesterday but to be honest, it can’t all be absorbed in one visit. This collage is a paltry sample of the 140 works I saw. I will be returning to hear the music, examine the photographs, study the constructions and enjoy the paintings. I encourage anyone within a drive of Richmond to do the same.
