This winter, a new exhibition, “The Black Index,” will debut at the Contemporary Arts Center Gallery at the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts on Thursday, January 14.

Curated by Associate Professor of African American Studies and Art History Bridget R. Cooks, a leading expert on Black art, “The Black Index” includes the work of six artists: Dennis Delgado, Alicia Henry, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Titus Kaphar, Whitfield Lovell and Lava Thomas. What unites these artists and their works is they all “build upon the tradition of Black self-representation as an antidote to colonialist images,” according to the exhibition’s site.

A collection of drawings, performances, prints, sculptures and digital technology, “The Black Index” serves as an alternative to the barrage of photographs of Black people who have been murdered, incarcerated and disappeared. The exhibition centers the resilience and beauty of Black people and creates a space for community-building and grieving for what is lost.

“I’m delighted to kick off ‘The Black Index’ exhibition at UCI and to make it virtually available to the public,” shares Cooks. “The exhibition artists have made breathtaking works that contest the conceptual lens of Black containment that is always already present in viewing strategies. Viewers of the exhibition will experience art that addresses the complexity of Black lives and the ongoing state of suffering because of its loss.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions at UCI, the physical exhibition is not open for the general public. However, guests may view the exhibition through virtual tours and explore the exhibition through a series of free virtual programming in which scholars, artists and authors from across the country will discuss both the exhibition and topics related to Black visual culture.

The exhibition will be at UCI until March 20, 2020 before going on to tour the country.

More information on the exhibition and RSVP links for the virtual programs available here.

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