True progress will be achieved when work by black artists are collected based on the same criteria as their mainstream white counterparts instead of being judged as having an inherent racial bias. It’s not important for an artist’s race to be apparent just by looking at their work but, knowing that there are an increasing number of black artists being featured in museums and galleries is important. “It’s almost as if, in order to be a successful black artist, they must perpetually create art that speaks on black culture and racism. The artwork in this exhibition expresses more than their experience of living in a state and country rooted in systematic racism their art speaks to the experience of being human.
Black artists are continuously expected to make art about race, racism, and social injustice. This exhibit offers black artists the opportunity to share artwork that expresses what’s in their hearts and minds without the requirement of a political agenda. The goal of the exhibition is to broaden cultural awareness of and appreciation for art by black artists in Oregon. Black artists should be recognized as individuals, without the filter of what the Western art canon tells us black art is or should be. It is essential to lift up the contributions of black artists above systematic oppression in life and in art. Their voices should be heard, not because they are black, because they are human beings with unique life experiences. The exhibition Black Matter showcases contemporary Oregon-based black artists in an effort to address an imbalance in representation.
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