"A Flower That Continues to Unfold"
“For Black people, the past is painful, present precarious, but the future is free.”
Erika Alexander
May 20 – 30, 2023
Available Space Projects
"A Flower That Continues to Unfold" is a conversation with the technology of venerative actions. It observes the longstanding existence of Gender expansiveness in the African & African American diasporic canon while also serving as a powerful statement of Black Trans Liberation.
Via color theory, this exhibition speaks to the timeless force of nature and the beauty that can be found within even the most inconsequential and humble things. The experimental work also serves as a decisive comment on the existence of Black Trans realities outside of death, asserting the right of marginalized individuals to exist and thrive in the face of bigotry and discrimination.
Repetition, tints, tones, and texture: The flora and fauna of the Americas and Nigeria are portrayed in the exhibition, with their tales of resilience, persistence, and unwavering. This exhibition speaks to the gift of transformation, growth, and transition–qualities characteristic of plants and all living things.
Movement, sound, and video serve as circuits to assist in creating a sonic narrative of ancestral communications, reinforcing the idea of an interconnected, living world where all forms of life are valued and celebrated.
Naturally derived pigment and the creation of energetic surfaces highlight an exploration of the intersection of Blackness, queerness, and technology and the dangerous notions of identity in a world where classification is often used to justify extermination.
By imagining a future rooted in African culture, traditions, and experiences, "A Flower That Continues to Unfold" acknowledges the foundational tenets of humanity and the importance of uplifting and celebrating marginalized voices.
Photos: HOLLY LAY
