On View: ‘Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers’ at Somerset House, London
by Victoria L. Valentine on Jun 13, 2019 • 2:58 pm 1 Comment
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now.” Shown, From left, Works by Yinka Shonibare and Sanford Biggers (in background). | Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Somerset House
On View presents images from noteworthy exhibitions
A STUNNING ARRAY of works by more than 100 artists from Britain, the United States, and beyond, is on view at Somerset House. Reflecting a half century of black creativity, “Get Up, Stand Up Now” brings together pioneering legends, mid-career figures, and promising artists on the rise. The multidisciplinary exhibition is curated by Zak Ové who envisioned “exploring Black experience and influence, from the post-war era to the present day.” Historic works and new commissions are displayed side-by-side and multiple works in a variety of mediums are in conversation. “Pressure” and “Baldwin’s Nigger,” two films by Horace Ové, the curator’s father, are being screened. A member of the Windrush generation he was the first black British filmmaker to direct a feature film. Cinematographer Bradford Young edited a new version of “REkOGNIZE” for the exhibition. The video installation documents the Hill District, an historic African American neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pa. During the run of the show, an exclusive soundtrack mixed by Jillionaire is streaming in the exhibition galleries. Vivid color is everywhere, on the walls and among the artworks, further enlivening the traditional gallery spaces.CT
Participating Artists:
Get Up, Stand Up Now is on view at Somerset House in London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019
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Trailer for “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. | Video by Somerset House
ARMET FRANCIS, “Fashion Shoot Brixton Market,” 1973. | Courtesy the artist
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. Shown, ISHMAHIL BLAGROVE JR., “Carnival Trolley” (center). | Photo © Peter Macdiarmid
RICHARD RAWLINS, “The true crown,” from the series I Am Sugar, 2018. | Copyright the artist
HORACE OVÉ, “John Lennon giving Michael X his hair to auction,” 1969. | Courtesy the artist
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. Shown, HORACE OVÉ, “Clowns – Trinidad,” 2017; ZAK OVÉ, “Umbilical Progenitor,” 2018; RASHID JOHNSON, “Falling Man,” 2017. | Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Somerset House
DEBORAH ROBERTS, Untitled, 2018. | Copyright the artist, Courtesy Stephen Friedman Gallery
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. Shown in background, YINKA SHONIBARE CBE, “Self Portrait (after Warhol) 6,” 2013. | Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Somerset House
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. Shown, ISHMAHIL BLAGROVE JR., “Free Speech Platform.” | Photo © Peter Macdiarmid
AUBREY WILLIAMS (Guyana), “Maya Series Cenote IV.” | © Aubrey Williams Estate
Installation view of “Get Up, Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers” exhibition curated by Zak Ové at Somerset House, London, June 12-Sept. 15, 2019. Shown, HASSAN HAJJAJ, “Blaize” (left), GAIKA, “Heaters 4 the 2 seaters” (center). | Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Somerset House
ALEXIS PESKINE, “Aljana Moons II,” 2015 (archival giclee print on Hahnemühle Photo-rag 308 gsm paper mounted on dibond, 82.5 x 149 cm), Edition of 5 + 1 AP. | Courtesy Alexis Peskine and October Gallery, London
JENN NKIRU, Still from “Neneh Cherry Kong,” 2018. | Copyright the artist
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1 comment
Valerie Harris says:
Jun 13, 2019
Thanks so much for this! I will be in London in early July — now I know what I MUST see.