On Jan. 30, Los Angeles' UTA Artist Space and GRAMMY winner Swizz Beatz announced a fine art exhibit titled "Dreamweavers" will open on Feb. 13, dedicated to paintings, sculptures, photographs and performance art by visionaries of the Afro-Atlantic diaspora. Curated by Nicola Vassell, who advises Beatz and his wife Alicia Keys on their The Dean Collection of fine art, the choice selection presents passionate and little-known works from what Vassell considers an emerging "black renaissance."
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"It's a super positive moment in that these narratives are being embedded institutionally," Vassell told Billboard, "and the consequence of that is economic success and cultural influence."
The artist Kehinde Wiley became better known due to his presidential portrait of Obama and presence of his paintings on sets for the TV show "Empire." Also in the exhibit are Nick Cave (the dancer, not the rocker), Karon Davis, Cy Gavin, David Hammons, Hector Hyppolite, Arthur Jafa, Pope L, Deanna Lawson, Kerry James Marshall, Yoyin Ojih Odutola, Noah Purifoy, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Tschabalala Self, Ming Smith, Nari Ward, Carrie Mae Weems, and Charles White.
"This show had to happen right here, right now," said Beatz. "Many of the artists are my friends and some of the works you'll see on view are from The Dean Collection ... It's a family gathering, Nicola is my long-time collaborator and UTA was passionate from the beginning."
"Dreamweavers" offers an artistic confrontation with imagery that can seem like a surreal escape from reality while also providing the strength to cope with present-day challenges creatively. The website for UTA Artist Space features works selected for "Dreamweavers," and the exhibit will remain in place until April 13.
