What is the Black Fist Series©?
Black Fist Series© started out as an art installation that was painted and constructed by Najee Strickland. It later expanded into a multitude of things, such as a graphic novel, recorded sit down discussions with the people, and an awarded short film. The overall goal is to solely focus on prominent issues dealing with social proximity, our history, social injustice, propaganda in the BIPOC community, and media stigmas assigned to BIPOC and other people labeled as minorities.
Crafting Blackness Initiative: African American Craft in Tennessee Since 1920
The 100 years History of Black Craft Artist in Tennessee 1920-2022 research project by BIPOC art historian and curator Karlota Contreras-Koterbay covers a century of history of craft making by African Americans in the state of Tennessee. The research product includes a compendium: Quilted Narratives: Black Bodies Making Form with image-rich database of Black Tennessee artist, collection of Bibliography with artists statements of Q&A/video narratives; culminating into a series of exhibitions with public engagements focusing on Black Tennessee craft artist and craft-making in Tennessee.
Timeline
September 2023 First exhibitions at ETSU Tipton and Slocumb Galleries in Johnson City
May 2024 Database of Black craft artists accessible online
2023-2027 Traveling exhibitions throughout state with public panels and catalogues.
2027 Culminating exhibition and book release
Proposed Exhibition Schedule
September - October 2023 Black Bodies Making Form curated by Karlota Contreras- Koterbay and Karen Sullivan, ETSU Tipton & Slocumb Galleries
March 2024 Hiram Van Gordon Gallery, with Dr. Cynthia Gadsden as co curator, Tennessee State University,
NashvilleCarl Van Vechten Gallery, Fisk University Galleries, Nashville (TBD)
Todd Gallery, Middle Tennessee state university (MTSU)
Fall 2024 Martin Public Library, Martin (August)
Lincoln Memorial University, Cumberland Cap (August)
2025 University of Tennessee, Knoxville (TBD)
Belmont or Vanderbilt University, Nashville (TBD) for William Edmondson Festival, October 2026
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg (Exhibition and Panel)
2027 Brooks Museum of Art (TBD), Memphis (Exhibition and Book launching)
• The traveling exhibition will present unique themes and artists at different venues,