@FACTIONArtProjects is delighted to present a solo show of #Harlem-based artist #StanSquirewell @ssquirewell at @Gallery8eight, London. Following an exhibition of his work at FACTION’s Harlem space, the FACTION team brought Squirewell’s work to #London for his first solo show outside the US. Squirewell’s newest works are heavily influenced by a recent revelation of his paternal ancestry, which has prompted Squirewell to question his identity, particularly in the western hemisphere. It also speaks to his battle with the omnipresent #slavery narrative, when he himself comes from a #black family that is not believed to have a history of slavery. Through portraiture he challenges histories & presents a more empowering narrative for black identity, seeking to change the terminology around the very word ‘black’. The portraits have a 16th, 17th and 18th century aesthetic with a contemporary awareness. The depicted figures are both real historical figures & fictitious characters that are in some way related to the artist. Through demonstrating the misrepresentations of history, they critique what we colloquially describe as fact. The titles of Stan Squirewell’s works reference particular moments in our shared history. One work entitled ‘Willendorf’, is inspired by the prehistoric female figure of ‘Venus of Willendorf’, while another, ‘Amerindian’ refers to the ‘$5 Indians’ - those who, 125 years ago, paid for falsified documents that proved them to be #NativeAmerican. Private View, Tuesday 2 April 2019, 6-9 pm
Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street St James's, London, SW1Y 6BN on view until April 13. The works - “Mum” - “Willendorf” - “Untitled” - “Washitawni” - “St. Agustine” - “Melchizedek” - “Untitled (Tribal Headress)” - “Ameri” - “Madonna & Child” #contemporaryart #art #kunst #arte #konst #artcontemporain #artsy #africanamerican #identity #blackness #blackexcellence #collageb #artcurator #contemporaryartcurator #curator #artcollector #artadvisory #artconsultant #artadvisor #joakimvonditmar (at Gallery Eight London) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvw5qCPF4Tz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jdh9e8hr4kqb
