Original Art by Robby Moore
Exhibited at The Arthur Butcher Art Gallery, Concord University - August 14 - September 15
Exhibition StatementI am not a historian, but I do enjoy old things from the past. These art works are based on historical events and figures, perceived by a contemporary Black American Appalachian Artist, and expressed through the memory of objects from my childhood home in West Virginia.
I wanted the work to look like something I might have found in a forgotten corner of a disused drawer in 1992; something my Granny saved from her childhood, and it ended up folded, under sheets and towels in our closet. There were many treasures that fit this description in my parent’s house. Being curious as a kid led to me find all their hiding spots. This may be the origin story for my nostalgia. I tend to imbue sentiment on most items I encounter, and when I found old “antique” objects, I would become attached. I find wear on an object and the patina of age to be one of the most beautiful things to view. Those kinds of markings ignite my imagination and I begin to make-up a story to fill in the missing parts. When you’re black, every month is Black History Month. At times, it’s exhausting to be a Black American; at any moment, your life may be taken, your rights questioned, your hope tarnished, your land stolen. Your accomplishments may always have an asterisk beside them because American history is designed to remind you that you are an other. Black history is designated to a month, making us believe that it is optional or seasonal. |
"The Program," Mixed Media, 2023
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So much of this exhibition’s theme is about my own ignorance of Black American history. I’ve only recently learned many of these stories that I chose as inspiration. There’s a part of me that feels guilty/foolish because I did not know the names, images and stories of people who suffered and lead the way for me to have the freedom and privilege to create this art. Then, I thought about why I wasn’t taught this in US history class, at home or anywhere. I only learned about the Tulsa Massacre in 2020. How about you? My conclusion is that America doesn’t want me (or any of us) to know about this history. I would like to note that America suppresses atrocities like Tulsa and Seneca Village, as well as Black American achievements, making the action seem to be motivated by racism. Black history was/is consistently erased, suppressed, and overlooked. Now, more than ever, we need to learn this history, because Black History is again under siege and is being whitewashed. Just like our Founding Fathers, current politicians, mothers, and “patriots” want to redact this section of American history, because they deem it unworthy. It is apparent to me that this is prompted by racism and anti-Black sentiment.
The theme of Black History is too vast for me to create one exhibition to encompass its complexity. I intend for this exhibition to be living. I have plans to tour it throughout Appalachia for the next year. In that time, I will make new work to add and substitute. Below is more information about the works in the exhibition and references I used as inspiration. Information about me can be found here. I will be adding additional content here occasionally. Thank you for taking time to view and consider my work. I hope that it inspires you to learn and share Black History every month of the year |
Download the BHM Exhibition Guide Here
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Images from the exhibition.
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