A thought-provoking new exhibition opens at the Michael C. Carlos Museum on Saturday, Jan. 29: “And I Must Scream.” Developed by Amanda H. Hellman, the museum's curator of African art, the exhibit focuses on different expressions of global crises.
Employing monstrous, grotesque and humanoid figures and forms, the works engage five themes: corruption and human rights violations; displacement; environmental destruction; the pandemic; and renewal.
This exhibition — comprised of photographs, sculptures, paintings, drawings, and site-specific installations — acts as a call to action and shows these crises to be both urgent and interconnected.
“The exhibition seeks out the voice of the artists to explore incomprehensible man-made issues and aims to connect artists from a range of countries,” Hellman says. “These artists’ important work, and the monumental crises their art confronts, bring vital conversations to the forefront in a way only art can.”
Ten local, national and international contemporary artists are featured in the exhibition. They include Laeïla Adjovi (Benin/France); Anida Yoeu Ali (Cambodia); Steve Bandoma (DRC); Amie Esslinger (United States); Ganzeer (Egypt); Cannupa Hanska Luger (United States- Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota); Thameur Mejri (Tunisia); Kahn and Selesnick (U.S. and U.K.); Yinka Shonibare (U.K.); and Fabrice Monteiro (Benin/Belgium).
An online curatorial conversation with Hellman and artist-in-residence Ganzeer will be the first program in conjunction with the exhibition. On Sunday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m., they will discuss the mural Ganzeer is creating for the exhibit and how it fits in the context of Ganzeer's larger body of work that includes street art, graphic novels, paintings and graphic design. The conversation is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more and register here.
Additional programs related to the exhibition will bring scholars and artists from around the world to teach classes, facilitate performances and create new works of art.
“And I Must Scream” has been made possible with through support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Charles S. Ackerman Fund, the Carlos Museum National Leadership Board, the Massey Charitable Trust, the LUBO Fund and anonymous donors.
The exhibit is open until May 15.
Please note: At the present time, members of the public are required to make timed reservations to visit the Carlos Museum. Emory students, faculty and staff are not required to make a reservation and may check in with an Emory ID. Click here for more details or to register for a time.
Curatorial Conversation: “And I Must Scream”
Sunday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. online
Featuring artist-in-residence Ganzeer with Carlos Museum curator Amanda Hellman