In Recognition of Black History Month, The Parrish Art Museum Will Screen Two Films on African American Artists

Still from Bree Wayy. Courtesy MTV Documentary Films, directed by Dawn Porter.

On Friday, February 4 at 6pm, in recognition of Black History Month, Hamptons Doc Fest and the Parrish Art Museum will present a program of two short films onsite at the Parrish Lichtenstein Theater.Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace (2014, 38 min, Director: Jeffrey Dupre; Producers: Jessica Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre, Ana Veselic; A PBS Production) focuses on Wiley, a contemporary African American portrait artist. Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance (2021, 28 min, Director: Dawn Porter, Producers: Niema Jordan, Kim Reynold, Cubie King, MTV Documentary Films) brings to light the works of art created in response to the tragic death of Breonna Taylor—focusing in particular on a painting by Amy Sherald. With stories told from distinct perspective, the two films celebrate these African American artists.

Following the screening, Parrish Senior Curator of ArtsReach and Special Projects Corinne Erni will moderate a live conversation via Zoom with Jessica Chermayeff, award-winning producer of Kehinde Wiley; and Dawn Porter, director of Bree Wayy who was honored with Hampton Doc Fest’s prestigious Pennebaker Award in December 2021. Limited tickets will be available at the door. All sales are final, non-transferable, and non-refundable. Please see below for updated COVID guidelines

Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace
Known for his vibrant reinterpretations of classical portraits featuring African American men, New York-based painter Kehinde Wiley has turned the practice of portraiture on its head and taken the art world by storm. The film reveals how Wiley turned his talents to African American women as part of his exploration of image and status of African Americans throughout history. As Wiley explained: “I am painting women in order to come to terms with the depictions of gender within the context of art history. One has to broaden the conversation.” An Economy of Grace won the Jury Prize at SXSW, the Audience Award at Provincetown Film Festival, was nominated for an Emmy, and shortlisted for an Academy Award.

Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance
After the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, artists throughout the country found solace by creating works of art to pay tribute to the life and light of the 26-year-old EMT and up-and-coming nurse who was killed by the police. Among the artists is renowned painter Amy Sherald, whose portrait of Taylor is the centerpiece of the Speed Art Museum’s exhibition, Promise, Witness, Remembrance, shown in Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The film pays homage to art and creativity as a way to protest injustice and create a space to heal, led by the indomitable spirit and love of Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer.

This indoor event requires all attendees to wear medical-grade masks at all times and show proof of vaccination; those 18 and older must provide a valid ID.

For more info, visit parrishart.org