Black identity, spirituality, fantasy and futurism are explored in the new exhibition, "Hunt, Gather, Remix," featured from Jan. 8 until April 14 in the Robert Langen Art Gallery at the Wilfrid Laurier University Library.
Hunt, Gather, Remix features the work of Toronto-based multi-disciplinary artist Adeyemi Adegbesan, who uses photography, illustration, mixed media collage, murals and assemblage to create Afro-futurist and Afro-surrealist portraits. Pulling from the worlds of fashion, fantasy, music, science fiction and sports, Adegbesan explores the interplay between traditional folklore of the African diaspora and contemporary Black culture. Hunt, Gather, Remix offers a celebration of remix culture, which can be found in many art forms born of the African diaspora, including the musical genres of hip hop and Jamaican dub.
Adegbesan's work, which has been shown across Canada and internationally, aims to examine the cultural intersectionalities within Black identity. Reflecting on Black cultural ideologies from pre-colonial, colonial, present-day and future timelines across regions, religions, income levels and political ideologies, Adegbesan examines the dichotomy of the richness of Black experiences with the imposed societal homogeneity of "Blackness."
Hunt, Gather, Remix is featured at the Robert Langen Art Gallery from Monday, Jan. 8 until Sunday, April 14. An exhibit reception will be hosted at the gallery on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Robert Langen Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
