Black Artists of Oregon Opening Weekend

Video by Dustin Tolman and Jason Hill
The opening weekend of Black Artists of Oregon, with an interview with curator Intisar Abioto. September 8 & 9, 2023.
Black Artists of Oregon
September 8, 2023 - March 17, 2024
Black Artists of Oregon, a new exhibition at the Portland Art Museum by artist and curator Intisar Abioto, highlights and celebrates the work of 69 Black artists from the 1880s to today who lived and worked in Oregon. It is the first exhibition of its kind and explores the works of influential artists who, historically, have not been exhibited or held in museum collections. Artists featured in the exhibition include Al Goldsby, Thelma Johnson Streat, Isaka Shamsud-Din, Ralph Chessé, Arvie Smith, Shedrich Williames, Harrison Branch, Robert Colescott, Adriene Cruz, Charlotte Lewis, and Carrie Mae Weems.
Black Artists of Oregon is generously supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Meyer Memorial Trust, Terra Foundation for American Art, The Ford Family Foundation, Ed Cauduro Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Heritage Commission, Bonhams, Rena and Cheryl Tonkin and Marv Tonkin Leasing Company in memory of Alan Baron Tonkin, The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Endowment for Northwest Art, and the Museum’s Artist Fund.

[@rossrobbins7707]

Intisar Abioto is amazing! 💖

[@naomishields9449]

Congratulations to you. I hope to make the trip to see this showing. I wrote a book about 'The Importance of Collecting Black Art.' I was fortunate to meet your dad at my book signing in Memphis. Again, congrats and I look forward to meeting you. 💞🦋🤗

[@SurrealSurrender]

I had the pleasure to visit the exhibit over the weekend. It was AMAZING; I highly recommend it. There were pieces there that shook my soul. One of my favorites was Baba was a Black Sheep by Mosely Wotta. The visuals were arresting and extremely nuanced. I could study it for hours. I am definitely going to visit the exhibit again!

[@danlupan670]

There are no Black or White artists. There are only artists of different nationalities and artistic currents. What is this Black Obsession ?!