TEXTURES synthesizes research in history, fashion, art, and visual culture to reassess the “hair story” of peoples of African descent.

Long a fraught topic for African Americans and others in the diaspora, Black hair is here addressed by artists, barbers, and activists in both its historical perceptions and its ramifications for self and society today. Combs, products, and implements from the collection of hair pioneer Willie Morrow are paired here with masterworks from artists including James Van Der Zee, Sonya Clark, Lorna Simpson, Mary Sibande and Zanele Muholi. Exploring topics such as the preferential treatment of straight hair, the social hierarchies of skin, and the power and politics of display, TEXTURES is a landmark exploration of Black hair and its important, complicated place in the history of African American life and culture.

Participating artists:
Hector Acebes,  Derrick Adams, Karo Akpokiere, Deborah Anzinger, Keturah Ariel, April Bey, Charles Bohannah, Margaret Bowland, Nakeya Brown, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Tawny Chatmon, Sonya Clark, David Driskell, Sarah Duah, Andrew Esiebo, Joseph Eze, Amber Ford, Yrneh Gabon, Olaf Hajek, Nakazzi Hutchinson, Shara K. Johnson, Eric Lafforgue, Annie Lee, Delita Martin, Charlotte Mensah, Lebohang Motaung, Zanele Muholi, Althea Murphy-Price, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Woodrow Nash, Sharon Norwood, Glenford Nuñez, Charly Palmer, Gordon Parks, Faith Ringgold, Lezley Saar, Augusta Savage, Ngozi Schommers, Devan Shimoyama, Mary Sibande, Lorna Simpson, Nelson Stevens, Ibrahima Thiam, James Van Der Zee, Lina Viktor, Nafis White, Kehinde Wiley, Masa Zodros (and dozens of unidentified artists across African and American people groups).

The exhibition is organized by the KSU Museum with co-curators, Joseph L. Underwood, assistant professor of art history at KSU and Tameka Ellington, associate professor at the School of Fashion at KSU.

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