Latest News in Black Art features news updates and developments in the world of art and related culture
Kehinde Wiley reimagined MTV’s iconic Moon Person. He is the third artist to create a special edition of the symbol, which has served as the network’s VMA Trophy since 1984. A large-scale version inspired by Wiley’s design is installed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla. | Courtesy MTV
Space News
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, MTV unveiled today a reimagined version of its iconic Moon Person trophy created by artist Kehinde Wiley. The artist draped the figure in botanical vines. The event took place at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The new design will be handed out at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12.
Amoaka Boafo‘s artwork is headed to space. Uplift Aerospace announced its new Uplift Art program and commissioned Boafo to paint the inaugural Suborbital Triptych on the exterior panels of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket this fall. Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos.
(Related: Boafo’s career got a big boost a few years ago when Kehinde Wiley discovered the artist’s work on Instagram and brought him to the attention of Roberts Projects, his Los Angeles gallery.)
Artist Nicholas Hlobo. | Courtesy the artist, Goodman Gallery and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul and London
Representation
Nicholas Hlobo joined Goodman Gallery, which has locations in Johannesburg, London, and East Hampton, N.Y. He will continue to be represented by Lehmann Maupin Gallery. Born in Cape Town, Hlobo lives and works in Johannesburg.
Pittsburgh-based artist James Yaya Hough is now represented by JTT gallery in New York. Hough was featured in Nicole R. Fleetwood’s MoMA PS1 exhibition, “Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration” (2020-21). His first-ever solo show, “Invisible Life,” was on view at JTT in May. He presented watercolors and line drawings on state-issued documents that candidly characterize the “economy of desire that emerges from within America’s carceral system.”
Appointments
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York announced the appointment of Ty Woodfolk as its first chief culture and inclusion officer. Woodfolk was previously director of human resources, diversity and inclusion at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. At the Guggenheim he will serve as a deputy director. He starts Sept. 7. | The Art Newspaper
IMAGE: At right, Ty Woodfolk. | Courtesy Guggenheim Museum
Awards & Grants
Dread Scott, Mary Baxter, and Maria Gaspar are the winners of the inaugural Frieze Impact Prize. Each artist was awarded $25,000 and will present work at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair in 2022. The prize is presented in collaboration with Art for Justice and Endeavor Impact.
Art League Houston announced its annual awards, naming Vicki Meek 2021 Texas Artist of the Year and Alvia Wardlaw, recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts Leadership.
The MacArthur Foundation announced $80 million in Equitable Recovery grants to advance racial and ethnic justice.
Exhibitions
Galerie Myrtis Fine Art & Advisory of Baltimore, Md., was invited to participate in Personal Structures, an affiliate exhibition at the 2022 Venice Biennale. The Black-owned gallery founded by Myrtis Bedolla will present “The Afro-Futurist Manifesto: Blackness Reimagined” featuring eight artists—Tawny Chatmon, Larry Cook, Morel Doucet, Monica Ikegwu, M. Scott Johnson, Delita Martin, Arvie Smith, and Felandus Thames.
Speaking of the 2022 Venice Biennale, Black artists are representing key countries with solo shows at the prestigious international exhibition, including Simone Leigh (United States); Stan Douglas (Canada); Sonia Boyce (Great Britain); and Alberta Whittle (Scotland). In addition, Zimbabwe announced a group of artists representing the nation: Ronald Muchatuta, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Terrence Musekiwa, and Wallen Mapondera. | Artnet News
Opportunities
Applications are open for the 2022-23 Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship. The Washington, D.C., program provides artistic and professional development to help practicing artists create sustainable art careers. The two-year fellowship includes an annual $2,000 honorarium. Application deadline is Aug. 8, 2021. | More Info
The Black Artists and Designers Guild (BADG) announced a Creative Futures Grant for Black undergraduate and graduate students in architecture, design and fine art. Four recipients will be awarded $5,000 each to help realize a dream project. Application deadline is Aug. 16, 2021. | More Info
In New York, the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) issued an open call for its inaugural CMA Artist-Educator Residency, Each artist receives a $40,000 annual salary with benefits for the 32 hours/week commitment. Application deadline is Aug. 20, 2021 | More Info
