“But what of Black women?…I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.” – W.E.B. Du Bois
“Soul(s) of…” is a project that archives people’s histories as the landscapes of their neighborhoods change so their stories and the culture they create may never be forgotten. The two components of this project include 16-20 digital collage portraits of Black women living in gentrified communities, and an interactive online archive of their stories. The archive will provide a glimpse of what was and create a community among folks who have similar experiences.
2018 is the 150th anniversary of W.E.B. Du Bois’ birth year. The title of the series pays homage to Du Bois, who often wrote about how extraordinary Black Americans are in the face of oppression.
Artist Bios
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Makeba Rainey
Makeba Rainey’s creative practice focuses on building community and what that looks like. For her, community is an extension of family. By centering her work around social justice, specifically in regard to Black Americans, community becomes the key to liberation. Her artwork taps into aspects of the Black community, merging the old with the new by re-envisioning the ancestors through new media and creating space for young creatives to build and sustain themselves. Although a lot of her work is local to Harlem, she creates bonds with the larger Black community through her web-based artist collective, incorporating the themes of social justice movements like Black Lives Matter.
Originally from Harlem, New York, Makeba is a self-taught artist best known for her digital collage portraits of contemporary and historical Black icons. Makeba is an internationally exhibited artist, a 2017 Create Change Fellow with the Laundromat Project, a 2018 member of Vox Populi gallery in Philadelphia, a 2018 CFEVA Fellow, a 2018 Season III NARS resident Artist, and an Absolut Art artist.
Organizations
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United Photo Industries (UPI)
United Photo Industries (UPI) is a New York based nonprofit organization that works to promote a wider understanding of, and increased access to, the art of photography.
Since its founding in 2011, UPI has rapidly solidified its position in the public art landscape by continuing to showcase thought-provoking, challenging, and exceptional photography from across the globe. In its first seven years, UPI has presented the work of more than 2,500 visual artists in gallery exhibitions and public art installations worldwide.
The Soul(s) of…
Featuring: Makeba Rainey
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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