This program reflects on global experiences of Blackness and particularly its intersections with Indigeneity. Bringing together artists, writers, curators, and scholars from across Australia, the Americas, Africa and its diaspora, this conversation between members of the proppaNOW collective and invited speakers considers the multiplicity of Black subjectivities. The Aboriginal experience marks a twofold connection between Blackness and Indigeneity, which frames this discussion on the intersecting histories and articulations of global Blackness. Focusing on connections, divergences, and attendant misconceptions, speakers think towards building coalitions for solidarity and relationality. Within the white-dominated global art context, the conversation also touches on questions of authenticity and representation of Blackness and Indigeneity, asking what forms of Blackness—or Blacknesses—are understood or underrepresented within institutional conversations.

Speakers include Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc interdisciplinary artist; M. Carmen Lane, two:spirit African-American and Haudenosaunee (Mohawk/Tuscarora) artist, writer and facilitator; Puleng Plessie, Curator: Education Mediation for the Javett Art Centre and member of 2022–2024 Jane Lombard Fellow Another Roadmap Africa Cluster (ARAC); and members of 2022–2024 Jane Lombard Prize Recipient proppaNOW: Vernon Ah Kee, Megan Cope, Warraba Weatherall. Moderated by Darla Migan, art critic, philosopher, and part-time lecturer at Parsons School of Design.

The Vera List Center Forum 2023 is presented as part of the Center’s 2022–2024 Focus Theme Correction*. It is curated by Carin Kuoni and Eriola Pira with Camila Palomino and convened with the support of Tabor Banquer, Re’al Christian, and Adrienne Umeh.

The Fall 2023 programs of the Vera List Center for Art and Politics are generously supported by members of the Vera List Center Board, the VLC Producers Council, Vera’s List, and other individual donors, and the following institutional donors: Australian Consulate-General of New York; The Boris Lurie Art Foundation and the Schaina and Josephina Lurje Memorial Foundation; Bridge Philanthropic Consulting; The Dayton Foundation; The Ford Foundation; The Kettering Fund; Mellon Foundation; The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation; and Pryor Cashman LLP. We also acknowledge the support of The New School, our academic home.

Oct 13, 2023: 10:00–11:30am ET

Register here: veralistcenter.org