Running through June 27 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the group exhibition “Sounds of Blackness” brings together a diverse group of visual artists from the African Diaspora. Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah, the exhibition includes a carefully selected set of works from the collection of Filipino collector Timothy Tan, encompassing artists such as Patrick Alston, Kim Dacres, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, and Kehinde Wiley.
Hugh Hayden, Navient (2021)
According to the organizers, the exhibition is inspired by the Grammy-award-winning and U.S.-based musical ensemble of the same name and aims to stimulate the senses in much the same way that the vibratory capacity of music can impact its listeners.
Closing the loop between visual art and music, Carolyn “CC” Concepcion has curated a 100-song soundscape that takes the listener on an auditory journey celebrating the multiplicity of Black expression. In addition, the playlist complements the exhibition’s goal of reflecting the depth and breadth of Black creativity.
Tschabalala Self, Out of Body (2015)
In addition to works from the collection of Timothy Tan, the exhibition includes pieces from private collectors throughout Asia, offering a holistic perspective and deeper cross-section of both art and artists.
Exhibition details:
Sounds of Blackness
March 14 – June 27, 2023
Metropolitan Museum of Manila – BGC
H322+H9R, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
The exhibition is free and open to the public. Pre-registration and confirmed time slots are mandatory for entry. Pre-registration should be made at least a day before the visit.
Hank Willis Thomas, Everything we see hides another thing (2022)
Participating Artists:
- Patrick Alston
- Izere Antoine
- Amoako Boafo
- Kim Dacres
- Delphine Desane
- Sesse Elangwe
- Patrick Eugène
- Ufuoma Essi
- Charles Gaines
- Alex Gardner
- Alteronce Gumby
- Hugh Hayden
- Rashid Johnson
- Tunji Adeniyi-Jones
- Spencer Lewis
- Hugo McCloud
- Simphiwe Ndzube
- Toyin Ojih Odutola
- Nathaniel Mary Quinn
- Wahab Saheed
- Tschabalala Self
- Vaughn Spann
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Bongani Tshabalala
- David “Mr. StarCity” White
- Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley, Louis XVI, the Sun King (2006)
About the Curator
Larry Ossei-Mensah is a Ghanaian-American curator, cultural critic, and angel investor who uses art to change how we view ourselves and the world. He has organized exhibits at international venues like MCA Denver, Ben Brown Fine Arts, MASS MoCA, and the 7th Athens Biennale, working with famous artists and taking part in web3 projects with creative minds like Derrick Adams x Jay-Z and Marco Brambilla.
Previously the Senior Curator at MOCAD Detroit, he now holds the position of Curator-at-Large at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and curated the first solo museum exhibition for Amoako Boafo. As a co-founder of ARTNOIR, he is committed to promoting racial equity in the art world by supporting creatives, curators, collectors, and communities of color.
