Kindred Spirits in Conversation
exhibition with works by John Alleyne. Curated by Randell Henry. Labels and exhibition text by Glauco Adorno. 2018.
Selected Label from the exhibition:
As a counterpoint to the stereotype that black youth are dangerous, John Alleyne photographed several subjects in a moment of casual vulnerability, while sitting on the barbershop chair. He then goes on to disrupt the images and create a compositional dialogue. In addition to the the acts of tearing and rearranging the portraits, tension is also visible in the eyes of the subjects. In a metaphorical discussion, Alleyne considers the role of conversation and community in the struggles black people face in America. While using visual and linguistic references that are commonly associated with black culture, the work navigates the space between acknowledging the advantages of a collective black identity and recognizing the importance of individuality in representation.