Painting Is Its Own Country

Painting Is Its Own Country, at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, is a survey exhibition, highlighting the work of more than two dozen exceptional artists who, through figuration and abstraction, are challenging traditional ideas of cultural representation and creativity. Curatorially, Painting Is Its Own Country is a simultaneous look into past and the future. The exhibition offers a snapshot of powerful work being made by a generation of emerging artists, as well as several well-known practitioners in the field. The exhibition’s title reflects the idea that painting, despite its long existence, still offers limitless space for freedom, diversity, and self-expression.

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Derrick Adams
Rushern Baker IV
Kimberly Becoat
Jurell Cayetano
Dominic Chambers
Elizabeth Colomba
DeShawn Dumas
Alteronce Gumby
Stephen Hayes
Marcus Jahmal
Cheyenne Julian
Gerald Lovell
Jackie Milad
Mario Moore
Lavar Munroe
Fahamu Pecou
Kenny Rivero
Sloane Siobhan
Alexandria Smith
Vaughn Spann
Stacy Lynn Waddell
Will Villalongo
Cullen B. Washington, Jr.
Didier William
Charles E. Williams
Bryan Wilson

Dexter Wimberly is an independent curator and entrepreneur who has organized exhibitions and developed programs with galleries and institutions throughout the world including The Third Line in Dubai; Koki Arts in Tokyo; and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. His exhibitions have been reviewed and featured in publications including The New York Times, Artforum, and Hyperallergic; and have received support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Wimberly has also served as Director of Strategic Planning at Independent Curators International in New York City. Prior to his curatorial career, Wimberly was the managing partner and CEO of the advertising agency, August Bishop, representing a diverse array of clients, including Adidas, The Coca-Cola Company and, HBO. In 2018, Wimberly founded ART WORLD CONFERENCE, a professional development company for visual artists and arts professionals, and serves as its CEO.

Jackie Milad, She Goes Ancient, © 2019, mixed media on hand-dyed canvas, 72” x 72”, courtesy of the artist.