Like light, which appears singular but is composed of a spectrum of shades, Black identity is richly layered and multifaceted. Blacklight draws from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s collection to explore the complexity of Black Canadian identity through both figurative and abstract art. Showcasing a range of media, this exhibition challenges reductive views of Blackness and invites critical reflection on how art collections shape perceptions of race, identity, and culture.
By placing works by both Black and non-Black artists in dialogue, Blacklight examines the histories of representation: who portrays Black subjectivity, how it is portrayed, and why these representations —or misrepresentations—matter in shaping our understanding of Black identity across time.
Artists include: Frederick J Brown, Gary Castle, Lucie Chan, Phyllis Cosman, Kayza DeGraff-Ford, Ellison Eagles, Gerald Ferguson, Brendan Fernandes, Larry Fink, Rebecca Fisk, Till Freiwald, Elmer Killen, Herb MacDonald, Molly Bell Mackay, Annie L. Prat, Weegee.
Image: Lucie Chan, Untitled, 2003.
Presenting Sponsor
