What does Black freedom mean today? An exhibition at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, titled “Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation,” offers fresh insights into the question with works by seven Black artists.
On view through July 9 in Fort Worth, Texas, home of the National Juneteenth Museum, the exhibition has even garnered the attention of an extra special visitor: Opal Lee. Known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, Lee played a pivotal role in commemorating the order given on June 19, 1865 to emancipate those who were enslaved, advocating for the date to be a federally recognized holiday by walking from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C.
“What excites me the most about being in this exhibition is having the opportunity to re-contextualize the meaning of ’emancipation’ alongside such talented artists,” said Alfred Conteh, whose work is on display. “I’ve been in many group shows over the years, but very few where Black artists are centered to redefine what the construct of freedom means to us and our people.”
