By Co-Curator Eleanor Heartney

Photo features artist Kate Burke

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Charles Dickens summation of the late 18th century might serve as an epigraph for our own time as well. The 21st century has presented us with complicated realities that pull in opposite directions.

By Co-Curator Amalia Amaki,

Photo features artist Bill Steber

Scrutinizing the past through contemporary lens is a modus operandi for artists such as Jeremiah Ariaz, Marielle Plaisir, Colin Quashie, Karen Ocker, Bill Steber, Masud Olufani, and Tyrone Geter. Some artists are natives to the region and others relocated  South but their expressions emanate from a personal fascination or contention with systems, behaviors and assumptions of power that are grounded in legend or mythologized southern history. 

By Co-Curator Amalia Amaki

Photo features artist Forrest Lawson

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” - Oscar Wilde

The advice in the above quote seems well taken by artists Ming Ying Hong, Vickie Pierre, Fahamu Pecou, Stephen Leo Hayes, Jr., Forrest Lawson, and Peter Lenzo who explore their identities in work addressing issues of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, gender, age, religion and regionalism. Signature approaches, media choices, handling of materials and content distinguish the uniqueness of each journey.

By Co-Curator Eleanor Heartney

Photo features artist Anastasia Samoylov

Global Views of Home explores multiple aspects of the idea of home. Some of the artists are Southern by birth, while others, having left their homes to resettle in theAmerican South, are Southern by choice or necessity. The work offers a reminder that home can represent both sanctuary and confinement, freedom and restraint, a place to run to and a place to run from.What makes a home?

By Co-Curators Amalia Amaki & Eleanor Heartney

Photo features artist Amy Gross

The multidisciplinary artists in this space feature installations that explore memory, performance, land-marking, and other themes incorporating digital photography, museology, ethnography, and genealogy

Dig deeper into Southern Voices/Global Visions with the Bloomber Connects app!

By Co-Curator Eleanor Heartney

What does it mean to be a Southern artist? In this globalized, interconnected world, does it even make sense to think in terms of regions and origins? Southern Voices/Global Visions suggests that we view artists and their locales through multiple lenses.

“Southern artists are creating groundbreaking, incredible work,” said Susie Surkamer, President and CEO of South Arts. “From cutting-edge media installations to two dimensional work, and following themes including social justice, identity, and equity, we are proud to help share the visions of artists from across our region in this exhibition.”