August 27, 2021 • View in browser
Good morning. 🌤️ Today, a guerrilla memorial to LGBTQ+ activist Marsha Johnson pops up in Manhattan, an artist talks about her yearlong performance producing no garbage, and as two Obama portraits go on display at the Brooklyn Museum, we invite you to check out our earlier coverage about the unveiling in DC back in 2018.
— Hrag Vartanian, editor-in-chief
On the Day of Marsha Johnson’s Birthday, Guerrilla Memorial Pops Up by Stonewall
After a statue of the trans activist promised by the city was delayed by the pandemic, activists installed the bust themselves this week. | Valentina Di Liscia
SPONSORED
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Presents “Hung Liu: Portraits of Promised Lands”
The exhibition will be on view from August 27, 2021, to May 30, 2022. Learn more.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Comedian's John Oliver's "weird art" contest (via YouTube)
Five museums will receive a $10,000 grant from comedian John Oliver’s HBO series, Last Week Tonight, in return for hosting his “weird art” collection.
- Bob Ross, Inc. denounced the new Netflix documentary’s “inaccurate and heavily slanted” narrative, accusing its director and producers of bias.
ART & OPINION
Southwest Asian and North African Artists and Their Barrier to Access
“Our works are much more curious and mysterious than they are shown,” says Leyya Mona Tawil of Arab.AMP. | Elmaz Abinader
Fun Facts I Learned from a Year of Producing No Garbage
I held a year-long performance piece in which I threw nothing away to see what I could find out about the state of consumer recycling. | Eve Schaub
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FROM THE ARCHIVE
The Obama Portraits Tour has arrived at the Brooklyn Museum, showcasing the two monumental paintings by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. Below, Claire Voon and Blair Murphy take us back to their unveiling in 2018, and Steven Nelson examines their role in the history of African American portraiture.
Official Obama Portraits by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald Were Just Unveiled
The long-awaited portraits were presented at a ceremony today at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The internet was quick to respond. | Claire Voon
Obamas Open Up About Their Newly Unveiled Official Portraits
At the unveiling this morning, Michelle Obama spoke about her "instant connection" with Amy Sherald, while Barack Obama said he asked Kehinde Wiley "to bring it down just a touch.” | Blair Murphy
The Obama Portraits and the History of African American Portraiture
Like many African American portraitists, Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley represent the Obamas as themselves, and as more than themselves. | Steven Nelson
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